A Dragon Wedding
By Maggie Walsh
PART I
Tonight's Gonna Be A Good Night.
Today was the day. The castle was all in a buzz, as well as the kingdom itself, as the servants all raced around trying to get everything ready, and the people of his and Zion’s two clans worked around the clock to prepare the lands for today’s festivities.
Devon lay still with his eyes closed, enjoying the feel of his loves naked body pressed against his back, as he breathed softly in sleep. The light caress of Zion’s warm breath tickled Devon’s neck, causing a smile to spread across his lips. He loved this man more than anything and couldn’t live a day without his mate. Thoughts of what today truly meant surrounded Devon with a sense of peace.
For today, he and Zion would be wed in the traditional ceremony of their peoples, before both of their clans, and finally joining both of their kingdoms to become one. Even though he and Zion had been mated almost two years ago, they wanted to wait to have the official ceremony until their new castle, that now sat in the center of both their lands, was ready. It had been a long road for them to make it here, and he and Zion wanted to make sure all their people felt a part of this future that was promised even before Devon’s birth.
When his mother, Queen Isabell was pregnant with him, the great prophet of the dragon realm had spoken with his father, King Romen, and Zion’s father, King Argo, and told them of what he had seen. The first of true fated mates in over four thousand years in the dragon realm was about to be born. He saw Devon and Zion’s mating and how they would bring the six dragon clans together in peace for thousands of years.
But Zion’s Uncle Melkin had other plans. He wanted the Ingenium kingdom for himself, so he joined with Jana, the man who would be appointed as steward of the Luman clan after Devon’s disappearance, and they had killed Devon’s father when Devon was ten, then they scared his mother, a human, into leaving the dragon realm with him and hiding them in the human realm. Once there, Devon’s memories had been wiped, and he had no idea who or what he really was.
Zion had never given up hope that he would find Devon, and spent every day that he had been gone sending out his warriors to search all the realms for Devon. Then one day, a few weeks before Zion was to turn twenty-three and lose his throne to Melkin forever, they had found Devon. He had been shocked to learn the truth of who he was, and who Zion was to him, but he knew they belonged together.
For weeks before Zion had found him, Devon had been having dreams of a great love. One that would make him feel complete, and safe, and loved. He dreamed of Zion and had already loved him when they met. But because of Devon’s horrible human life where he had been forced into prostitution, he didn’t think he was worthy of Zion or his love, but Zion wouldn’t give him up.
They, along with their friends, the other four kings, and Grinold, Zion’s best friend and right hand, had managed to uncover the conspiracy that had killed Devon’s father, took Devon away, and even made his life the hell that it was. Secretly, they destroyed Melkin and Jana’s plans by mating before Zion’s birthday. When the clans all joined for the celebration, and what Melkin thought would be the moment his brother, King Argo, would have to appoint him the new king instead of Zion, because Melkin believed Devon to still be lost in the human realm, therefore Zion couldn’t have mated him by the deadline, Melkin and Jana were shocked when Devon made his appearance. That is when all the secrets of his father's murder and Devon’s disappearance had come out. Melkin still demanded he be crowned king seeing as Devon had just been found and Zion hadn’t claimed him. Boy was he shocked and angry when he learned that they had in fact mated and claimed one another insuring Zion’s rightful place as the new king of the Ingenium Clan.
Zion was then crowned king and Devon being the only heir to the Luman throne, was crowned as well, joining their two kingdoms, and making the prophecy come to life.
But today they would perform the official marriage ceremony that all the kings before them had done to wed their chosen mate. But today would be extra special because it was not only he and Zion who were getting married, but two of their best friends Leigh and Grinold, who were also true mates.
Leigh was the king of the Adequo clan, and Grin was an Ingenium dragon. He had always been Zion’s best friend, but also his assistant, advisor, and right hand. Leigh and Grin had spent most of their lives loving each other from afar, but neither admitting their true feelings. Grin didn’t think he was good enough for Leigh because Grin wasn’t royalty, but Leigh couldn’t care less. He loved Grin for who he was.
Then one night after Devon’s return, he and Grin had a long talk, and something he said made Grin finally act and he went to Leigh and admitted his feelings. Leigh confessed to his own feelings and they were shocked to find upon sleeping together, that they were actually true mates. A dragon didn’t know his true mate by scent or sight anymore as they once did. Dragons now had to have sex with someone to know if they had found their true mate. That is one of the reasons dragons have so many bed partners.
But four thousand years ago after a war with the magics, no dragon had ever found their true mate again, and the sight and scent of discovering ones mate, had disappeared. The dragons believed it to be a curse placed upon them by the magics. But even though they could no longer find their mate by smell or sight and no dragon had found their fated mate since the war, they kept trying, and believing that one day they would. Now that the prophecy of Devon and Zion’s mating had come true and Leigh and Grin so soon after, the dragons of all the clans were now more promiscuous than ever, as they tried to find their one true mate.
Grin and Leigh had gone through their own problems as their mating began, with a sick race of beings known as Finfolk abducting some of Leigh’s people and then Leigh himself. But they had battled the creatures and defeated them, saving Leigh’s people. Now they were also ready to perform the marital ceremony of their people in a joint service with he and Zion.
Devon knew the day was going to be busy, but very special, and he couldn’t wait to get started. He opened his eyes and saw that the sun was just lighting the sky and knew he needed to get up. The royal tailor would be in soon to make the final adjustments on his and Zion’s clothes for the ceremony.
Devon slowly slid from under Zion’s arm, but just as he made it to the edge of their bed, a large hand reached around, pressing against his stomach and pulled him back. Devon laughed as his back came in contact with Zion’s muscular chest again.
“Sneaking away, my husband?” Zion’s sleep rough voice whispered in his ear.
He loved the sound of Zion’s voice at any time, but first thing in the morning it sounded extra sexy and caused a shiver of desire to run through him. Devon leaned back into Zion’s embrace as his eyes closed, luxuriating in the pleasure of being safe in his man’s arms. “We have so much to do today, love. Morow, the tailor, will be here soon, and we still need to have breakfast and shower.”
“Well, I know of a great way for us to take care of all of that and still meet with Morow on time. Even though we are the kings and he will wait for us if we are late.”
“That’s true, but if we are late with him, we may be late for the rest of the day and I refuse to be late to my own wedding.”
“Excited, are we?” Zion asked as he ran his tongue around the shell of Devon’s ear, causing him to quiver.
“Yes. Today I marry the man of my dreams. The man I love with all my heart and soul. There is no way I will be late for that.”
Zion pulled back slightly and turned Devon to his back, then leaned up on one arm as he raised, hovering over Devon, looking down at him, a big dopey smile on his face. “I love you too, mate, and even though we are already bound and it cannot be broken, I can’t wait to marry you too in the ceremony of our people. In front of both our clans.”
Devon raised a hand and cupped Zion’s cheek as he saw moisture build in his mate’s beautiful emerald eyes. “This is a big day for so many, Zion. Today we join not only in the ceremony, but we officially join our clans, and become one kingdom. Today proves to all in our realm and the others, that the prophecy has begun, and all the dragon clans will join in peace for thousands of years.”
“Then by all means let’s get this day started. But not before I say a proper good morning to my husband,” Zion said, then leaned in and claimed Devon’s lips in a slow, tender kiss.
Devon melted into the moment, pushing away all thought of the day, and just allowed himself to feel Zion’s love.
After a few minutes, Zion pulled back and in one swift movement, he climbed from the bed, taking Devon with him in his strong embrace, and carried him to the bathroom. “Now to take care of the rest of your luscious body before we eat,” Zion growled before he buried his face into Devon’s throat and began nibbling, then pushed the door closed with his foot.
~ * ~ * ~
“Mmm, now that’s the best way to start the day,” Grin groaned.
Leigh smiled around the cock in his mouth as he sucked harder, making Grin moan deep. His man’s hands gripped the sheets as he arched his back, and pressing his head further into the pillows below him. Leigh loved watching his mate fall apart from his ministrations. Since their mating two years ago, this had become their morning ritual. Whoever awoke first, feasted on the others cock until they awakened in the most delightful way. Most of the time it was Grin who woke up first and treated Leigh to his talented mouth, as he sucked Leigh deep. Many mornings Grin also threw in his fingers as he opened Leigh up so Grin could drive inside him, claiming him on a daily basis, and Leigh fucking loved it.
But today was really special. Today he was going to marry his true mate in the marital ceremony of his clan. Leigh wanted to make today truly memorable for Grin and show his man how much he loved him. Leigh sucked Grin to the back of his throat, deep-throating him, then swallowed around the bulbous head.
“Oh, by the gods, mate!” Grin yelled out.
Leigh grabbed the tube if slick and poured some on his fingers as he continued to distract Grin with his mouth. He pulled his mouth back to the tip, and speared his tongue into the little slit, sucking hard to draw out Grin’s delicious honey. They did say that breakfast was the most important meal of the day, and Leigh sure loved his protein.
“Fuck, Leigh! I think you’re trying to kill me with ecstasy, mate.”
Mmm, Leigh liked that idea. Not the killing his mate part of course, because he couldn’t survive a day without Grin now that they had claimed each other. But losing his man to the ecstasy was a good plan. Leigh slid off Grin’s cock and nibbled his way down the underside, pressing his tongue against the thick bulging vein. Swirling his tongue around Grin’s sac, he played with Grin’s balls for a moment, licking and sucking, then licked down Grin’s perineum as he gave Grin’s thigh a push with one hand.
Grin understood and pulled his legs back, giving Leigh more room and exposing his puckered hole for Leigh’s enjoyment. He shifted his position, lying down on his stomach between Grin’s thighs, then placed his hands on the backs of Grin’s legs as he moved his face closer to his prize. Leigh licked a path up Grin’s crease, flattening his tongue against his tight hole.
Grin moaned, and writhed against him, asking for more. Leigh licked around the muscles, teasing the opening. Slowly he speared his tongue into his lover as he caressed his hands down Grin’s legs and gripped his muscled globes, spreading his man further. Leigh loved the taste of his mate and loved making Grin go out of his mind with pleasure.
Siding one finger in beside his tongue, Leigh lost himself in the moment and feasted on Grin. Adding another finger, Leigh doubled his efforts. By the time he had three fingers thrusting easily in and out of his mate alongside his tongue, Grin was crying out incoherently and Leigh new his man was on the edge. Leigh slid a forth finger in and Grin arched up, his ass tightening. Leigh kept his fingers thrusting into his man, but pulled back and engulfed Grin’s cock with his mouth, just in time for Grin to explode, filling his mouth with his seed.
Leigh swallowed everything his man gave him as he fucked him through his orgasm with his fingers. Grin dropped back against the bed and panted heavily. Leigh gently licked Grin’s cock clean, then slowly pulled his fingers free and slid up Grin’s body, pressing his body against Grin’s sweat-soaked skin. He put his nose against Grin’s chest and took in a deep breath through his nose, loving his man's scent, and letting it fill him, calming him.
They lay wrapped in each other's arms as their breathing slowed and their hearts regained a normal rhythm. Grin hugged Leigh against him and kissed his head. “Good morning, my heart.” Leigh could hear the smile in Grin’s voice.
“Good morning, my everything,” Leigh replied.
Grin chuckled. “I think we need to get up and start getting ready. Your tailor should be here soon to help get us dressed.”
“Can we fool around in the shower? My body misses you inside it.” Leigh rubbed his body along Grin’s side.
“And I miss being inside you. I couldn’t think of a better way to get ready to share our lives together in the official ceremony, than to share our bodies first.”
Leigh kissed Grin’s chest, then rolled away, slinking off the bed. He stood and swayed his hips sensually as he walked away. Just as he got to the bathroom door, he stopped in the doorway, placed one hand high on the doorframe, then turned to look at Grin over his shoulder, giving him a sexy look. “Well come on, lover. Don’t keep me empty for too long.” Leigh blew Grin a kiss, then turned and disappeared into the bathroom.
He went to the walk-in shower and turned the knobs, allowing all the jets and the rainfall showerhead to turn on at full blast. Just as he was about to step in, strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind, as Grin moved them both forward under the spray. Today was going to be a good Day.
PART II
“Going to the chapel...”
“Let’s go you buttlickers,” Max yelled as he walked into Zion and Devon’s suite.
Zion walked out from behind the changing screen, sliding his sword into the sheath at his left hip attached to the baldric around his waist, and gave his friend a smirk. “Pot calling the kettle black. And there’s only one butt I lick thank you very much.”
Max whistled as he walked around Zion, inspecting him as Zion stood before the full-length mirror. “Wow, look at you...swanky.”
“Well it is the official marriage ceremony, so I have to where my formal suit. And you look pretty good yourself dressed in your kingly best.”
“What, this old thing?” Max replied in a silly voice as he fanned himself and fluttered his eyelashes.
Zion laughed as he shook his head at his friend’s antics, then began inspecting himself. Zion was dressed in his best kingly formalwear. Silky black breeches, tucked into knee-high black leather boots. A long-sleeved white tunic that hung down to just below his ass, with the green clan crest of a tree of life in the center. Zion grabbed a blue sash from the rack beside the mirror and wrapped it around his waist, covering up the black leather baldric, and tying the sash to the right. Zion smiled as he caught Max’s raised brow in the mirror. “It is the sash of the Luman clan.”
“Ah, that’s right. So that’s why you’re wearing a matching one around your hair,” Max stated.
“Yes,” Zion said with a smile and touched his low pony gathered at the nape. His long black hair had been pulled back and gathered, and a smaller, but similar sash of matching blue was wrapped intricately around his pony. Zion lowered his hand and reached for his cloak.
Max stepped forward and took the garment from Zion, then stepped behind him. Hanging the floor-length cape of dark green with brown fur collar over Zion’s shoulders. Zion clasped the two sides together in front with the gold chain, the brown fur collar not quite meeting, leaving a six-inch gap between the two sides. As Zion adjusted the garment, pushing the cloak over his shoulders to cascade down his back, Max walked across the room and retrieved Zion’s crown.
He came back to stand behind Zion, then lifted his hands, the crown between them, and placed the golden ring upon Zion’s head. Zion loved the intricacy, but simplicity of the crown of the Luman clan. The bottom ring was a braid with a large emerald gemstone in the center, with a large Celtic cross knot above it, creating the peak. Leading out the two sides of the cross was more braided gold bands that joined the cross to smaller Celtic crosses at the two sides and one smaller one in the back, with smaller Celtic crosses in the gaps between the lower and upper braids. And Zion had his royal jewel maker place golden diamond gemstones in the center of the smaller Celtic crosses, as a surprise for his love. With their two kingdoms joining, Zion thought it would be a good gesture to adorn his crown with the gem of the Luman Clan as well.
“Damn if you don’t look like a king,” Max teased.
“I know, right?” Zion said with a smile, also teasing.
“So where is your gorgeous mate?”
“Devon went to another chamber to get prepared. He said something about not seeing each other before the ceremony.”
“But didn’t you sleep together last night?” Max asked.
“Of course. There was no way I wasn’t going to wake up on such an important day without my mate in my arms,” Zion replied.
“Not much different than any other day.”
“Very true. I never want to wake up again without my Devon.”
“Then why the no seeing one another? You already have,” Max asked as he sat on the edge of the bed and watched his friend.
“I honestly don’t know. Devon said something about it being a tradition with the humans. They don’t see each other before the wedding. When I asked why not, he said he thought it was because the brides wanted to make a grand entrance and get the biggest ‘Wow’ factor from their intended and the guests,” Zion explained with a shrug.
“O-kaay. But can I just point out that neither of you are female.”
Zion gave him a smile as their gazes met in the mirror. “I am very aware of that. I don’t understand it, but if that is what my mate wants, then that is what he gets. He also said it might be nice if we had that same effect with one another. That ‘Wow’ factor as we saw each other for the first time in our ceremonial garb.”
“Actually, I can understand that,” Max said, then his expression turned serious as his gaze roamed over Zion. “You do look great, my friend. Devon won’t be able to keep his hands off you.”
“Well that is what I was going for.” Zion chuckled. “But seriously, thanks.” Zion gave himself a last look from head to toe, then turned. “I think I’m ready.”
Max stood as he gave Zion a big smile. “Alright then, let’s go get you married.” The two laughed as they walked from the room together.
~ * ~ * ~
“I don’t understand why we had to travel to the ceremony in separate carriages,” Grin grumbled for the hundredth time as he sat in the back of the horse drawn carriage with his friend, King Killian.
“For the thousandth time, Leigh wanted what he looked like to be a surprise,” Killian huffed in frustration.
“See, I don’t get that. I already know what he looks like. Hell, I know what he looks like better than anyone. He is my mate,” Grin grumbled.
Killian smirked. “Yes, but you have never seen him in his formal ceremonial dress before.”
Grin’s head snapped in Killian’s direction as he looked at him in surprise. “He’s wearing a dress?”
Killian grunted as he shook his head. “No, you idiot. He’s wearing the formal ceremonial garb of the king,” Killian huffed, but then his facial expression changed to a thoughtful one. “Then again, you never know with King Leigh. There is always the possibility that he had the tailor rip that sucker apart and remake it to fit his style more.”
Grin turned back to face the front. “Well, I don’t care what he’s wearing. I know he will look fucking hot. My baby always does.”
“And it’s not as though he’s going to be wearing it for long anyway,” Kill said.
“Very true. I know one look at my man and I’ll be ripping off whatever he has on and sinking into him within minutes.” Grin’s smile was salacious.
“Yeah, there is always that, but I was talking about the Adequo marital ceremony itself. You know, when the two of you have to strip and shift into your dragons, flying off together in a sky dance, before diving into the Valarian Sea and claiming your mate underwater?”
Grin’s smirk grew as his eyes filled with lust. “Oh, yeah. Nope, haven’t forgotten that part. Been practicing holding my breath under water.”
“You know you don’t actually have to stay under the water? You can peak your heads out as you fuck Leigh’s brains out.”
“I know, but I am sure going to try to stay under as long as possible. The longer we stay under, the less of our claiming others will see.”
“Aah, that’s so cute,” Killian said with a sigh as he placed a hand on his chest.
“Cute?”
“Yeah, the way you’re afraid to let everyone see your fat ass.”
Killian busted out laughing and tried to get away as Grin swept out to hit him.
“Asshole,” Grin grumbled.
~ * ~ * ~
Devon stood, staring at his reflection in the mirror as he flattened his hand on his chest and ran it down his stomach. He knew that most of the time he and the other kings just wore normal clothes, well, normal for kings. But they did wear jeans at times as well as leather pants. But he loved when the occasion came where he could put on their finest. Maybe it had something to do with not growing up around it that made him love it so much. All his official kingly garb was gorgeous and reminded him of Medieval times back in the human realm.
Looking down at his feet Devon began to inspect himself. He wore white leather breeches, tucked into knee-length light brown leather boots. Over his top he wore a knee length golden suede vest tunic with four slim light brown leather straps with golden buckles down the chest that fastened the two sides together, and he would normally wear a white long sleeve silk shirt underneath, but today, he wore an emerald green one in honor of his mate and the Ingenium people. Since returning to the dragon realm, Devon had allowed his golden blond hair to grow and it was now almost to his waist, which was almost as long as Zion’s gorgeous, silky jet-black hair.
He allowed the tresses to hang loose down his back, like Zion liked it, with his golden crown upon the top. He loved the large Fleur De Lis that sat in the front, making the point, with the large teardrop shaped golden diamond encrusted in the top of the design. A full bridal of smaller Fleur De Lis wrapped around to the back, making up the crown. Devon has the royal jewel maker replace every other smaller golden diamond in the other Fleur de Lis’ with Emerald’s to match Zion’s. Devon thought that with their two kingdoms joining, that it would be the right thing to do. He hoped Zion and the people of the Ingenium Clan liked the gesture.
“Damn, you are hot. But I don’t think you’re showing enough skin,” Leigh announced as he and King Rand walked in.
Devon smiled at his friends through the mirror. “Well look at you. Hot and sexy as sin, as always. You look fabulous, Leigh,” Devon replied and he turned to face them and gave Leigh an appreciative look.
“Oh, don’t blow up his already over inflated head up more than it already is,” Rand complained as he dropped down into a chair.
“You’re just jealous because I am a thousand times hotter than you, and you will never get into these pants,” Leigh snarked.
“You barely got into them yourself, they’re so tight. But I don’t think I would have a problem getting into them. I would just have to go to the royal painter and have him brush them on.”
Leigh gave him an insulted look, then smiled and gave Rand a wink. “Very true.” Leigh laughed, then sat on the arm of Rand’s chair.
Devon looked at Leigh, impressed. With the tightness of his ultramarine leather pants, Devon didn’t know how he was sitting down. But he had to admit, Leigh looked hot as hell and still looked kingly. The white leather ankle boots with a slight heel looked good with the pants, and his long-sleeved, pure white silk wrap tunic, with ultramarine embroidery that looked like waves around the bottom hem, and sleeves looked, fantastic. At the waist, he wore the baldric with his sword sheathed, but what surprised Devon was Leigh had wrapped an emerald green sash over the baldric belt.
“You’re wearing the color of the Ingenium,” Devon commented.
Leigh gave him a shy smile. “I did it for Grin. He is a nature dragon of the Ingenium after all.”
Devon gave Leigh a bright smile. “I think it’s a wonderful gesture.”
“Here, here. That’s what I said,” Rand replied.
“So are we almost ready to go?” Leigh asked.
“Yes, I just need my cloak,” Devon answered, and reached for his floor-length white cloak, made of feathers, with a golden leather trim. As he opened it to throw around his shoulders, Leigh and Rand both gasped.
“Speaking of honoring your mate. The new silk emerald green lining is stunning. It matches the new jewels on you crown,” Leigh said.
Now it was Devon’s turn to give his friends a shy smile. “Thanks. I thought it would make Zion and his people happy.”
“Your people too now, Devon,” Rand replied.
“Yes. My people.”
Leigh stepped forward and helped Devon attach the clasp in the front and adjusted the cloak to hang gracefully down his back. “Stunning.”
Devon smiled. “How about you, Leigh? Where is your cloak?”
“I hung it by the door there along with my crown,” Leigh answered as he pointed.
“Well, let’s complete the picture and get you all fancified,” Rand said and stood. He walked to the door and retrieved Leigh’s things then returned, handing Devon the cloak.
Devon moved to stand behind Leigh, and placed the floor-length satin, ultramarin blue cloak over Leigh’s shoulders, careful of the white fur trim that ran around the whole of the hem, with sapphire jewels. As Leigh fastened the clasp at his collarbone, Rand stepped up behind him and held the crown made of white bone, that had a satin finish to give it a smooth texture. The bone rose up to a point at the top, then smoothly dropped down and wrapped around the back. A large sapphire sat in the center, with smaller sapphires circling to the back. Leigh had braided his shoulder-length blond hair, with an emerald green ribbon weaved into it.
“You both look stunning,” Rand whispered in appreciation.
Devon and Leigh turned to face Rand, giving him bright smiles, then the three hugged. After a few moments, they pulled back and all three quickly wiped at their eyes. “Shit, don’t make me cry, my mascara will run and I’ll look like a black-eyes caparari fish,” Leigh said as he sniffed.
“Come on drama queen,” Devon said and grabbed Leigh’s hand.
“That’s drama king if you don’t mind,” Leigh teased.
“Well, drama king, did you remember your signet ring?” Rand asked.
Leigh held up his right hand, showing a white gold band with a sapphire stone, with waves engraved around the band.
“Oh shoot, I almost forgot. Thanks, Rand,” Devon said, then walked to the dresser, opened a black velvet box, and took out a ring made of golden diamonds and placed it on his right hand.
“Now I’m ready,” he said with a smile.
“Okay you two, let’s get this show on the road and get you two married,” Rand said as he stepped between the two and held out his elbows. Leigh slid an arm through Rand’s left as Devon did the same on the right, and the three kings exited the room.
~ * ~* ~
The massive white castle with blue trim and conical spire roof’s shown bright in the sunlight. The six stories Keep sat at the rear of the main bailey, in the northwest corner. The with the main building where the kings would live ran along the right side, the windows, framed with gold, overlooking the grand expanse of rolling hills of Ingenium. The white curtain walls surrounding the castle was decorated in greens, blues, and golds inside and out. The large platform at the top of the granite steps leading into the main building was adorned with flowers from Ingenium, Luman, and Adequo clans, with large white candles in golden stands at the top against the back wall.
Zion and Max exited the main door and stopped to stand beside the three elders, each dressed in their clan’s robes. Zion looked out over the bailey and smiled as he saw the main area filled with members of his and Devon’s clans, as well as Leigh’s. The crowd poured out the main gates into the gardens, and Zion realized, by the colors the people wore, that they were from the other three dragon clans. The Obscurum Clan, which is where Max ruled, The Ignic Caln, where Killian ruled, and The Aerius Clan, where Rand ruled.
A white horse-drawn carriage, that Zion could see was one of Leigh’s, rode through the main gate, and through the center of the crowd, stopping at the bottom of the grand granite staircase. The coachman jumped down and opened the door, allowing Grin and Killian to exit.
“Wow, Grin cleans up nice when he’s dressed like a royal,” Max whispered beside him.
Zion chuckled. He couldn’t agree more as his gaze took in his best friend’s garb. Grin was not a king, but he was mated to one, which made him the king’s consort, and as such he didn’t have a crown...yet, or the royal robes and cape of the king, but his clothes spoke of his station. Once the marital ceremony was complete, Grin would be crowned with a smaller, but matching crown to Leigh’s.
Zion and Max chuckled low as they watched Grin climb the steps looking very uncomfortable and like he was about to throw up. Not that Grin wasn’t used to standing, or talking in front of large crowds, being Zion’s assistant and right hand for many years, but this was different. Grin was born a warrior of the Ingenium Clan, but once he mated Leigh, he was now a part of the Adequo Clan and Leigh’s chief advisor, and leader of his guard. Being a royal was new to him and the idea still made Grin nervous, especially being the first king’s consort in the history of the Adaquo Clan. There was once a consort in the Ignic Clan over a thousand years ago, but that was the only one they had ever heard of, so this was new ground for all of them.
The large wooden door of the main house opened again and Zion turned to see his father walk out, dressed in his royal finest, minus the crown, now that it belonged to Zion. His father walked to him and stood beside Zion. “You look wonderful, my son.”
“Thank you, father.”
“As do you, King Maximus.”
“Thank you, Argo. It is a good day for the festivities,” Max replied.
“I agree. But looking at Grin you would think he was going to the gallows,” Argo said with a laugh, making Zion and Max laugh too.
“It will just take him some time to get used to his new position,” Zion said.
“I’m sure Leigh will teach him a whole lot of new positions,” Max teased and the three burst out laughing.
“You are terrible, King Maximus,” Argo replied, but there was no anger in his voice, only laughter.
“I’m glad you three are so relaxed,” Grin grumbled and he and Killian joined them.
“Just remember this, Grinold. You are already mated to Leigh, this is just a formal ceremony to appease the elders and our people. Think of it as a big party, like a reception, to honor your and Leigh, and Zion and Devon’s bonds,” Argo replied.
“I understand that, your highness, but this outfit is just…” Grin replied as he looked down at himself.
Zion looked over his friend’s attire. Grin may be a little uncomfortable, but the man looked hot. White leather breeches, with dark brown knee-high boots, a white silken tunic with long sleeves and a slight puff to the shoulders, with dark brown leather armor bands on both forearms from wrist to elbow, and the ultramarine blue doublet vest tied together with white leather roping going down the front, looked amazing. Then there was his brown leather baldric around his waist with his sword sheathed at his left hip, and on his right side, a shoulder cape with ultramarine blue lining of silk and the white feathers to match Leigh’s kingly cloak on the outside, and his long dark hair hung down behind him, cinched together at the nape with a white and ultramarine ribbon. Grin may not realize it, but he looked kingly.
“Just what?” Max asked and Zion could see his friend was trying very hard not to laugh at Grin.
Grin sighed heavily. “You all were born to be king’s and have worn things like this your whole life, but I feel like I’m a fraud.”
Argo stepped forward and placed a hand on Grin’s shoulder, looking into his eyes. “Grinold, I have known you your whole life and you are a good, decent, honorable man. You are not beneath us and we are not above you. Yes, we were all fortunate enough to be born royals, but that does not make us better than you. All you boys, along with Leigh, Devon, and Rand, have been friends since you were toddlers. None of you see the others as anything less or more than just your friend, and that is how it should be. You may not have been born a royal, Grinold, but you are one now because of your love, devotion, and mating to Leigh. Would you want it any other way?”
Grin stared at Argon for a moment before he gave the former king a small smile. “No. I understand what you are saying, your highness and you’re right. I love Leigh with all that I am and I would do anything for him. Including standing up in front of all the clans wearing this monkey garb,” Grin said with conviction, then smirked and started to chuckle.
“You boys are all the present and the future of the dragon realm. Because of your close bonds the prophecy of peace will come to pass. Honor each other, and hold your bonds dear,” Argo said, then nodded his head toward the main gate. They all turned to see the carriage that carried Devon, Leigh, and Rand, starting to enter under the arch as the people outside the walls began to cheer.
“Ready gentlemen?” Argo asked and Zion and Grin nodded.
“Let’s take our places then,” Argo replied and turned, taking his place to stand in front of the three elders. Zion and Max moved to stand to the far right and Grin and Killian moved to stand to the far left, then they all turned to watch the approaching carriage.
PART III
“I’ll love you for a thousand years.”
As the carriage drove through the main gate and entered the bailey, the clans people inside cheered and threw flowers toward the kings. Some fell to their knees and wept, and all the others bowed and curtsied as the kings rode by. The carriage rode down the center of the bailey on the red carpet, and stopped at the bottom on the grand stairs. The coachman jumped from his place beside the driver, and opened the door. Twelve armored men approached, six from each side and lined the edge of the carpet at the bottom of the stairs, all standing at perfect attention. Two from each dragon clan, dressing in the armor of their clan, there to represent their king and clan.
Rand stepped out and turned, standing at attention, with his left arm crossed over his chest. Leigh stepped out next, bowing his head slightly at Rand then stepping a few feet forward. Devon was next, copying Leigh, as he gave a slight bow of the head to Rand, then moved to stand beside Leigh. Rand took his place behind them, and the twelve guardsmen raised their swords high, crossing them with the man across from him, to form and arch. Devon and Leigh walked through the arch, with Rand following. As they exited the arch, they began to ascend the grand stars.
Zion was awestruck at how handsome his mate looked. Devon was the most beautiful man he had ever seen, but today he was simply breathtaking. Zion heard a low growl coming from the other side and flicked his gaze to Grin. He smiled when he saw the lust in his friend's eyes as his gaze remained fixed on Leigh. Zion looked back to the approaching men, and his gaze locked with his mates. His heart filled with peace and love as he saw the intense look of love for him coming from his mate.
The three kings made it to the top of the stairs, and walked to stand beside them. Devon moved to Zion’s left as Leigh moved to stand on Grin’s right. Devon and Leigh standing beside one another with a twelve-inch gap between them, where Rand stood just a few feet behind them. His gaze never left Devon’s as they got into place and now stood here waiting. A soft clearing of the throat drew Zion’s attention, breaking the spell between he and his mate, and they both turned forward to see his father Argo chuckling as he looked toward Leigh and Grin.
Zion looked past Devon as his mate turned to see what was happening, and they both began to laugh as they saw Leigh pressed up against Grin, their lips joined passionately.
“You’re supposed to save that part until the end, gentlemen,” Argo admonished lightly.
The crowds seemed to like what they were doing, if the roar of cheers and clapping was any indication. Grin released Leigh, and Leigh took a step back, but they continued to look into one another's eyes.
Argo held up his hands to quiet the crowd. Once everything was silent, he motioned toward the main door and out walked Zion’s mother, along with Leigh and Grin’s parents, who all approached and stopped a few feet from Max’s right. Zion immediately looked to his mate and saw a tear run down Devon’s cheek, Zion turned to step in front of his mate and cupped his cheek, tipping Devon’s head back so their eyes would meet, then brushed the tear away with his thumb. “They are here, my mate. They may not be with us in the physical sense, but your parents are here, my love, and I know they are smiling down on you with pride and love,” Zion whispered, then gave Devon a soft kiss.
“Thank you, mate,” Devon replied, his voice choked with emotion.
“Let’s do this so that I can take you to our new bed chamber and hold you,” Zion whispered. Devon gave him a bright watery smile and nodded. Zion turned back and stood at Devon’s side, facing his father. Their gazes met and Zion saw his father's eyes full of pride for him, as the man gave him a smile and nodded.
Argo adjusted the microphone on the stand before him, then looked at each couple with an encouraging smile, before looking out over the mass of people joined within the kingdom.
“I want to welcome you all here today in the celebration of not only the joining of these couples, but the joining of the Ingenium Clan and the Luman Clan,” Argo began. “It has always been a dream for my Queen and I to see our son take over the thrown from me and to stand here someday with his true mate, King Devon of Luman as they officially joined our two clan’s as one. This was also the dream of my good friend, King Devon’s father, King Roman and his Queen Isabell. As you all know, we had been friends for many years, so when the great prophet came to us and told us of the prophecy of our children being true mates, which would bring all the clans together, we were beyond thrilled. So, let’s begin. Zion and Devon, Leigh and Grinold, please face one another and join hands.” They each turned to face their mate, and did as Argo instructed.
Argo cleared his throat then officially began the marital ceremony of the kings. “All of us joined here today are here to bear witness for all future generations, of the day all our clans stood as one to honor not only our king’s, but our future as a whole. Each of us have our own love stories. Some are short, some long, and others are not yet written, but we all stand here to witness and celebrate the love, commitment, and devotion of King Zion and King Devon to one another, and King Leigh and Sir Grinold Auberon to each other.
“When the kings of our realm meet the one they wish to spend eternity with, they are wed in a ceremony of their clan. But today is a special day, as we stand witness to something unseen for over four thousand years. The king’s marital ceremony of true mates. Not only for one king of our realm, but three. And they have all agreed to be joined here today to show solidarity to all of us, and to their friendships with each other, and the three other kings.
“King Maximus of the Obscurum Clan, King Rand of the Aerius Clan, and King Killian of the Ignic Clan, all stand here today as not only witnesses to this rare occasion, but as friends, and best men to these couples. We stand here today in the center of this new kingdom between the lands of Luman and Ingenium, in the new kingdom of Ingenluman as one.
“We all come here today to support you and remind you that love isn’t happily ever after. It is not a moment, not even this moment, but every moment. The big and the small, but mostly the million little moments that come between. It is the everyday. Waking together, falling asleep together, sharing intimacies together, and compromising with one another. It is working together every day in what needs to be done for your people, but also for one another. It is those little everyday moments fused together to make one big experience. It is respect, understanding, compassion, support, and love. Your mate is your best advisor, your best friend, your soft place to land, and your protector. For they hold your heart and will keep it safe.
“And even though this moment, right here, right now, is so monumental and incredible, it is just like love itself. It is meant to be felt and experienced. You have each turned toward your true mate and joined hands. Remember this moment as the first of many, as you should always turn toward your mate and join together in good times and in bad. By turning to one another, you will always stand together. It is when you turn away from your mate, that cracks can begin to form, and love can start to break down.
“King Zion and King Devon, King Leigh and Sir Grinold, you have been chosen by fate for one another. It is a bond like no other and should always be respected by all. Finding your true mate is truly an amazing and rare thing, but when you find that missing piece to your soul, as you all have, then you must grab onto it with both hands and nurture it to help it grow, then never let it go. A true mating is the most powerful covenant in our world. It has the power to bring immeasurable joy, happiness, peace, contentment, compassion, intimacy, and love like no other. And no other relationship can go as deeply as the bond of true mates.
“But mating your fated mate isn’t only about finding the other half of your soul and reuniting the two halves to make it complete. Two beings hold one soul, so two beings need to feed it to satisfy and solidify the bond and keep it together, and make it grow. Each individual needs to grow and allow the other to grow, but always come back together and accept the other for who they are now and who they will grow to become as the sands of time pass.
“Now I start with you, my son, my king. Zion,” Argo finished and looked to Zion.
Zion smiled at his father, then turned back to face Devon, giving him a loving smile, then spoke with all the love he had inside him for the man who owned him. “Devon, we were only babes when our love began. From the moment I saw you, even as a child, I knew you were mine, and I vowed to love and protect you for eternity. In the years that we were apart my heart was gone and I lived a shadow of a life, but I never gave up hope that I would find you again. As a dragon, we all know how precious our treasures are. But all that means nothing if I don’t have you, for you are the most precious treasure I have ever been gifted. You Devon, are more than my best friend and lover. You are more than my husband and confidant. You are my very heart and soul, and without you, life ceases to exist. Without you, my life is forfeit and not worth living.”
Tears built in Devon’s eyes and Zion just wanted to hold his man, but he knew they were tears of happiness and love. And as much as he wanted to just hold his man, he needed to go on.
“I, Zion, King of Ingenium, promise to sleep in your arms. To be joy to your heart and food for your soul. I accept you Devon to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what things I will discover. I vow to learn with you and grow with you, even as times and life change us both. I promise to laugh with you in good times and struggle alongside you in bad times. I promise to respect you and cherish you as an individual, a partner, and an equal, knowing that we do not complete, but complement each other. There is little to say that you haven’t already heard, and little to give that is not already freely given. I have always been yours and I always will be. I am devoted to you in every way. I marry you with no hesitation or doubt, and my commitment to you is absolute.”
“King Devon of the Luman Clan,” Argo said.
Love and light shown in Devon’s eyes as a few tears began to roll down his cheek, and he tried to control himself enough to speak. Zion, his love, his life, stood before him, vowing to be his everything. And that is exactly what Zion was. His everything. Devon cleared his throat, then swallowed thickly. “Zion even when we were apart my soul knew of you, longed for you, and loved you. You saved me and brought me home. My life was truly nothing without you. You are the balm to my soul, the core of my heart, and the wind that sets me free,” Devon said, his voice choked with emotion as more tears flowed freely down his cheeks.
“Today, I stand before all those present and promise to always love you. I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as we stand together to lead our people. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will love you when we are together and when we are apart. I vow to support you and your dreams, and to respect our differences, and to stay by your side through all the days and nights of our lives. Together we will build a life full of laughter and light, as we strive to do what is right for not only us, but all of our people. We are partners, friends, lovers, and equals in and out of our private moments. You are my heart and soul. I have always been yours, and I always will be. I give myself to you freely, and accept who you are now, and who you will grow to be. I am devoted to you in every way. I marry you without hesitation or doubt, and my commitment to you is absolute.”
“Now it is time to join you both under the traditions of both your clans, and bind you and your kingdoms together forever,” Argon announced. “Zion, your ring.”
Zion released Devon’s hands and removed his signet ring, the band made of braided gold, with a large round emerald set in the top.
“Now place your ring on your mate’s finger as you speak the binding words of the Ingenium marital promise.”
Zion clasped Devon’s left hand in his, as he used his right hand to slip his ring onto Deon’s left ring finger, and began his vow. “The fitting of this ring with its unending circle, symbolizes my everlasting love for you. The placing of this ring on your finger is the fulfillment of my dreams, to have you as my best friend, my love, and my husband, to live as one, for eternity.”
Argo turned to Devon. “And now you, King Devon. Place your ring on your mate’s finger as you speak the binding words of the Luman marital promise.”
Devon removed his signet ring and held Zion’s left hand, as he slid his ring onto Zion’s ring finger. “This ring is my precious gift to you, as a sign that from this day forward, you shall be surrounded and encircled by my love. Just as the circle is without end, my love for you is eternal. With this ring, I give you my heart. From this day forward, you shall never walk alone again. My heart will be your shelter, and my arms will be your home.”
Argo held out his hands and the elders from the Ingenium Clan and the Luman Clan stepped forward, each handing Argon a stirp of cloth. Argo raised both above his head for all to see. One was made of golden leather and the other a green vine. The third elder moved closer and slipped a third strip that was braided with both the golden leather and the green vine into Argo’s hands. “The Ingenium and Luman Clans are now one, as King Zion, and King Devon are now one. What we bind together now, let no one untie.”
Argon lowered his hands, and looked to Zion and Devon. “Zion, Devon, join your ringed hands.”
Zion and Devon did as Argon instructed and joined their hands, entwining their fingers. Argon stepped closer, then wrapped the leather strap over their joined hands, letting the end hang loose, then did the same with the green vine. Finally, he wrapped the braided strip around their hands, then looked to the other kings. Leigh turned and moved closer, as Max, Killian, and Rand did too. The four worked together to braid the three loose ends, then tied it and tucked it into the binding of Zion and Devon’s hands. Once done, the four kings stepped back, and took their original places.
Argo placed a hand over Zion and Devon’s joined ones. “The union between these two great kings have been blessed by the dragon gods, accepted by the clan’s elders, and bound together by the four other kings of our realm. What the fates have brought together, will now be as one for all time. Zion, Devon, you may now kiss your husband.”
Zion smiled brightly at Devon as he slipped his free hand around his waist and brought Devon flush against his body, then claimed his lips in a tender kiss, full of all the love he had for his mate.
After a few minutes, Argo gently cleared his throat. Zion released Devon’s lips, but held him firm against his side, their hands still bound. Zion gave his father a shy smile, and Argo chuckled.
“To start your new life as joint kings who will together rule over the newly banded Ingenluman Clan you will remain bound together for the rest of the day, to show your solidarity, and how beautifully you work together,” Argo said. Zion and Devon smiled as they looked at one another again.
“Now we turn to King Leigh and Sir Grinold Auberon. The mating of the King of the Adaquo Clan, to the former Ingenium Clan’s highest warrior, is another sign that the prophecy has begun. It is the binding together of the Adequo and the former Ingenium Clan’s. Vowing their faith and support of the new Ingenluman Clan and its kings.”
Leigh’s father, Evander, stepped forward and Argo moved to stand beside him. “King Leigh, my son, my successor, my king, we look to you for your vows to your husband, your mate.”
Leigh turned back to face Grin and his heart filled with love as his head spun. He never thought he would ever be standing here, vowing his life for eternity with anyone, much less Grin, his true mate. The man he had had a crush on since they were young boys. Since Grin had come to him and confessed his love for Leigh, Leigh’s life had been filled with immeasurable love. Grin was the perfect man for him. As Leigh thought the words, he decided to speak them.
“My Grinold, my love, my mate. I have loved you from afar for more years than I wish to admit in front of this crowd,” Leigh began, his words causing laughter through the group around them and the crowd below.
“You have always been just a dream for me, but you loving me, proves to me that dreams really do come true. Since you came to me and confessed your love for me, my life has been full of immense love. Most think because of my size, that I am not king material. But you have never shown me anything but encouragement, trust, and faith, that I could do the job. You have stood by me, giving me strength, and your complete loyalty. Your belief in me and my capabilities, set me free and give me the confidence to be the king my clan deserves.
“I love the faces you make when you stretch, the growls you make when you’re being fierce, and the humming noises you make when you eat something you are truly enjoying. I love that you don’t steal the covers at night, don’t leave your shavings in the sink, and kill the spiders for me.” Laughter rang out. “I love that I can be myself with you, as crazy as I am, and you love me all the more for it. And I love you for never being afraid to be silly with me, and for putting up with my sense of humor. I love that I am the only one who knows how funny you can be, and how truly tender you are. I love you for being my best friend and my biggest supporter. For always treating me with respect, trust, and love. And I love your infinite understanding and patience. I am crazy about you, and the passion, determination, and perseverance you maintain in everything you do. And I love you for always believing in me and making me feel strong.
“I vow to be there for you through the exceptional times and the miserable one. I will be there with you through the silly times and the stinky times, which on occasion, are the same thing.”
The roar of laughter surrounding them, made Leigh laugh too, as Grin blushed. “Sorry, my love, but it needed to be said. Now where was I? Oh yeah. I vow to love you and keep on loving you for the million little things you do that make you unique and make my smile. I will even love you for the things that you do that make me frown, for they are also a part of who you are. I love everything about you. I vow to support you in every endeavor emotionally and spiritually. I would have said physically, but you are just way too damn heavy.”
This time Grin joined in the laughter, and the sound of his deep laugh made Leigh shiver with need. He took a calming breath as he tried to get his cock to go down. Thank the dragon gods he was wearing the long tunic. Leigh hoped it kept his arousal concealed. He guessed not when Grin’s nostrils flared and his eyes sparkled and turned dark with lust. He needed to hurry this little ceremony along so they could get to the truly good part of his binding with his mate. Zion and Devon’s binding was beautiful and a bit kinky with them being tied together, but Leigh always dreamed of performing the Adequo marital ceremony with his husband someday. And now it was here.
“Shit. Yes, okay. Grin, my love, my mate, I vow to be honest with you in my actions and my words. I will stay true to you, always trusting in you. I promise to talk to you and to listen. To stand by you and challenge you. To give and be present. I promise to always put our mating first as it should be, and to always work on us and to try. I promise to always choose you and us every day and to set aside my pride. I promise to be good to you, and cherish you and your heart forever. Simply...I love you Grinold Auberon, with every breath I take and everything that I am.”
Leigh’s father smiled at Leigh then turned to Grin. “Sir Grinold Auberon, you may say your vows.”
Grin clasped Leigh’s hands tighter, still not believing how lucky he was to be blessed with Leigh as his mate. “Leigh, my heart, my love. You propel me forward. You are the calm before the storm and the patience that’s keeps me grounded. You are good, and humble, happy and funny, sweet and stable. When everyone tells me how amazing you are, they remind me of the reasons why I love you so much. You are the point source of my inspiration and the anchor to my soul. You make me want to be a better man every day. In this expansive universe of space and stardust, I found you, the perfect mate for me and the only person I want to spend my life with, my eternity with.
“I’m not very good with words and I tried to find a quote from a famous author, but I couldn’t find anything, because everything I found gave no justice to the way I feel when I am with you. Nothing lived up to the way my skin shivers when you smile, or how bad my face hurts from how you make me smile. I never thought that you would love me and when you did, my heart came alive. I never dreamed I could love someone as much as I love you.”
Leigh tried to hold back the tears, but it was impossible. Grin said he wasn’t good with words, but right now his words were filling Leigh’s heart with love and reminding him why he truly loved this man. Grin may not be a royal, or the most eloquent, but Grin never held back his love for him and showered him with it every day. His bottom lip quivered as the tears that built in his eyes began to fall.
“Leigh, you are my heart, my sun, and my stars. Thank you, mate, for loving me and showing me what love is. Because of your love I feel like I can face anything. So, for that I promise myself to you now and for always. I promise to always give you my kisses, my smiles, my hugs, my laughter, my tears, my hope, and my fears. I promise to eat weird food with you at strange hours as we laugh. And I promise to always laugh at horrible inappropriate things with you. I promise to say I am sorry when I am wrong, though we both know that I never am, oof―” Grin released a grunt of air as Leigh jabbed him in the gut and sneered playfully at him. Grin laughed and continued. “And I promise to forgive you when you are,” Grin chuckled and tried to move away as Leigh reached out to smack him again. The others around them and the crowd below laughed and cheered. “And I also promise to make fun with you, or at least kiss you after I make fun of you.”
“You ass,” Leigh grumbled, giving Grin a nasty look, but the glint of approval in his eyes told Grin his mate wasn’t truly angry.
Grin pulled Leigh close and cupped his cheek with one hand as he looked deeply into his eyes. “I vow to always support your dreams, even if they scare the shit out of me. I will always encourage you, and support you to reach your goals and be the amazing king I know you already are. I promise to say I love you, even if we fight, because you should always know how much you mean to me. I vow to always smile when you laugh and hug you when you cry. I swear to never take you for granted and I will always thank you for everything you do and all the love you give. I will always hold your hand in quiet comfort when times are tough, or even when they aren’t, because when you hold my hand, my anxiety clams, I sleep better, and though all may not be right in our world, all is right with us, especially when I am with you. I vow to you, my love, that for as long as I live, what I possess I give to you. I will keep you and hold you, comfort and cherish you, protect and shelter you, for all the days of my life, until my last breath and beyond. And above all, I will love you forever, my mate, my heart, my life.”
King Evander smiled happily as he looked at Grin. “Are you sure you’re not good with words?” He teased and Leigh loved the blush that rose up Grin’s cheeks.
“Now that you, beloved friends and family of King Leigh and Sir Grinold, have heard them recite their vows, do you promise, from this day forward, to encourage them and love them, to give them your guidance, and to support them in being steadfast in the promised that they have made?” A chorus of “We do” rang out across the crowd.
“May the blessings of life, the joy of love, the peace of truth, and the wisdom and strength of Spirit, be your constant companion, now and always as husbands and true mates. We will now exchange the rings which will symbolize your commitment to one another.” Evander held out his hand and Leigh slipped his signet ring from his finger and placed it in his father's hand. Grin removed his warrior ring, a black band made of braided vines, with an emerald in the top, and placed it in Evander’s hand.
Evander held up his hands high. “These rings are made from humble beginnings of imperfect metal to create something striking where there once was nothing. It is customary to wear a marital ring on the only finger with a vein running directly to the heart. These rings are the outward sign that Leigh and Grinold have committed themselves to one another. May the dragon gods bless these rings as they have blessed this union.”
Evander lowered his hands and held out his open palm to Grinold. Grin took his ring from Evander, then put it to Leigh’s finger as he gave Grin his hand.
“Now place your ring on your mate’s finger as you speak the binding words of the Ingenium marital promise.”
Grin then spoke the same words as Zion had, the words of his people. “The fitting of this ring with its unending circle, symbolizes my everlasting love for you. The placing of this ring on your finger is the fulfillment of my dreams, to have you as my best friend, my love, and my husband, to live as one, for eternity.”
Evander held out his hand toward Leigh. “King Leigh, place your ring on your mate’s finger as you make the marital vow.”
Leigh took his ring, then placed it on Grin’s finger. “I give you this ring as a reminder that I will love, honor, and cherish you at all times, in all places, and in all ways, forever. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship, and the promise of all my tomorrows,” Leigh responded quietly as he slipped his signet ring on Grin’s finger.
Evander placed his hand over their joint hands. “Now before these witnesses who have assembled here today, and as much as you have each pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love, and devotion, I now pronounce you husband and husband, under the powers of the Universe and the blessing of fate and the dragon gods, let no one put asunder. You may kiss your husband.”
Leigh plastered himself to Grin’s front and wrapped his arms around his neck. Grin wrapped Leigh in his arms and claimed his lips in a passionate kiss. Tongues dueled, teeth clashed, and lips punished. The kiss was a claiming for all to see. After a few minutes, Evander cleared his throat. “Okay you two, we have a little more to get to.”
Grin released Leigh’s lips and tried to step back, but Leigh kept his hold around Grin’s neck firm.
“Leigh, my son, we still need to crown Sir Grinold as King Consort, so release him. You will be joining in the ceremonial mating in just a few moments,” Evander whispered as he smiled at his son.
Leigh released Grin and stood beside him, holding his hand, as they faced his father. Evander stepped back as Zion, Devon, Max, Killian, and Rand moved to stand before them. One of the elders moved forward and held out an ultramarine blue pillow with the white crown resting in its center. Together Zion and Devon worked to pick up the crown and hold it high above their heads. Max, Rand, and Killian each placed a hand on the crown, as the elder stepped back.
“May the dragon gods bless this crown and give its wearer the wisdom needed to help his people, the strength to stand by his king, his mate, and the patience to step back in silent solidarity and let his mate rule, but giving him the best advice he can for the betterment of their kingdom,” Zion said.
They lowered the crown over Grin’s head. “Please bow, Sir Grinold, formerly of Ingenium, and now king consort to Adequo,” Max said in his deep voice. Grin bowed his head.
Max continued, "Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of Adequo according to the statutes of agreement of all the clans of the dragon realm?
"I solemnly promise."
Rand then spoke. "Will you, to your best ability, stand by your mate as he fulfills the promise of his crown to uphold the law and justice in mercy to be executed in all his judgements?"
"I will."
Killian was next. "Will you serve your kingly mate as an advisor to him with the best intentions for the people of Adequo as your guide”
“I will.”
Together the kings placed the white crown on Grin’s head. Once in place the kings stepped back. “Raise your head, Sir Grinold, King’s consort of Adequo, and stand tall and proud at your mate, your king’s side,” Devon said. Grin raised his head and met each of the king’s gazes, then stopped on his best friend, Zion.
Zion gave him a watery smile and Grin could see all the love and pride Zion had for him. “May the dragon gods smile down upon you both as you lead the people of Adequo to the best of your ability, with love, compassion, understanding, and honor.”
The kings all stepped back and Evander stepped forward. “The crowning of the King’s consort is complete. People of Adequo, as your former King, I ask that you respect your new King Consort and show him the respect he deserves. To, Sir Grinold, King’s Consort!” Evander called out, then bowed to Grin.
All the members of the Adequo clan who were present, with the exception of Leigh, bowed to their new royal.
Evander straightened. “It is now time to complete the Adequo marital ceremony with the traditional first swim and claiming in the Valarian. Those who wish to witness the dance of the king, please shift and fly to the land of the Adequo. King Leigh, your people await your arrival on the shores of the Valarian.”
Leigh looked to Grin and squeezed his hand. As Grin’s gaze met his, Leigh nodded and suddenly a light grew around him. Evander moved forward and grabbed Leigh’s crown before it fell off, then looked to Grin. He immediately removed the crown and handed it to his father-in-law, then shifted along with Leigh.
Leigh’s stunning white dragon with the ultramarine blue scales on the underside and upon his head, looking like a crown, flew up into the clear blue sky alongside Grin’s massive green and brown dragon. They flew side-by-side over the rolling green hills of Ingenluman and into the Adequo lands. The sky ahead of them was full of thousands of dragons as they made their way to the shores of the Valarian Sea. Once Leigh and Grin reached the sea, the sky cleared except for them.
“Ready my handsome, mate?” Leigh asked using their mind link.
“Always for you, my love,” Grin responded.
Leigh growled, then flew straight up. Grin followed and once they reached the desired height, they flew around one another, coming close, then moving apart. Leigh knew that from below it would look like a battle, but it wasn’t, it was the mating ritual of his clan. Even though Grin was much bigger and stronger than he was, Leigh was still king and as such his part was to chase Grin, overtaking him, and plunging them into the Valarian.
Grin turned and winked at him and Leigh smiled. He knew his mate would make a great show of it for their people. Leigh flew at top speed toward Grin and wrapped his wings around Grin, trapping Grin’s wings. The two plummeted toward water. Just as they were about to make contact, they each stretched out their necks, pointing their snouts, and hit the water smoothly, as they dove in. The water encompassed them, and they swirled around as Grin took control. Control the Leigh gladly gave him, as they dropped to the sea floor.
They each shifted back to their human forms and Grin wrapped his arms around Leigh, then kissed him. His hard cock throbbing to get inside his mate. Leigh opened his legs, inviting Grin in. Grin was afraid of hurting his mate, but Leigh promised he would chant a spell he knew that would open him completely to his mate before Grin entered him. Leigh pulled back and smiled at Grin then said in their mind link, “I’m ready, mate. Claim me again.”
Grin didn’t waste a moment and pressed the tip of his cock to Leigh’s opening, then slid inside unhindered. The slide was euphoric and magnificent and Leigh loved how quickly Grin filled him. They fucked and rut together frantically as their bodies ascended back toward the surface. Leigh was overtaken with emotion and his need rose. He wasn’t going to last long with the way Grin was powering into him.
Grin thrust faster and harder and Leigh looked up to see the surface right above them. They broke through the surface and Grin gasped in a long breath, then pushed them under again as his cock continued to pound into Leigh’s body. He fucking loved it and never wanted it to end. He loved making love to his mate at any time, but this was his favorite. He and Grin had been practicing a lot, getting ready for today’s festivities, and Leigh wanted to do this again. The feel of Grin wrapped around him and inside him, as the water caressed his skin, satisfied both him and his dragon at the same time. The sensation was mind-blowing.
“Gods, Leigh, I’m gonna come,” Grin said through clenched teeth.
“Then come, my beloved. I’m ready,” Leigh replied.
Grin tightened his hold and Leigh’s orgasm raced through him, spraying out between them, and floating around them. Grin grunted, then licked across Leigh’s mating bite, then struck, sinking his teeth into Leigh’s flesh. Leigh felt his hole being filled with Grin’s release as Grin stiffened and they floated back to the top.
After a moment, Grin’s body relaxed and he released Leigh’s neck, licking across his mark. A loud uproar came from the shore and fireworks exploded through the darkening sky. It was dusk, so the sky was still blue, but it would be dark in less than an hour, then the real fireworks would begin not only here in the sky, but in their bedchamber. Leigh had never been happier in his life as he was at this moment, and he couldn’t wait for every day with his love. Leigh laughed as they swam around, still entwined and listened to the cheers coming from the shore. His gaze met Devon’s and his friend gave him a knowing smirk. Shit. Maybe he should have told Grin that this ritual performed after the marital vows, pledges, and exchanging of rings, could possibly leave him with child. Oh well, he would tell him later. Leigh thought before he took Grin’s lips in a passionate kiss and drove them back under the water.
“Shall we disappear, my love, while everyone is distracted by Leigh and Grin?” Zion whispered in Devon’s ear from behind, his arms wrapped around Devon’s waist, and his hard, throbbing cock resting between Devon’s cheeks.
“I thought you would never ask, mate. I am so hard for you and standing here naked with all these people and my cock hard and leaking, is not on the top of my list of things to do on my wedding day,” Devon said as he pushed his ass back further against Zion. The tip of Zion’s cock pressed against Devon’s warm hole.
“Mmmm, baby. I need to be inside you right now, and never let you go,” Zion growled against Devon’s neck.
“Sounds like the perfect way to start our new life together, man of my heart. Take me home to our new room so that we can spend the next month or so christening every surface.”
Zion immediately started to shimmer as his green light engulfed him. Devon threw his head back and laughed as his golden light began to glow. Once they were each shifted into their dragons, they lifted, and flew off together toward home.
“Well that was rude,” Rand said.
“What? That those two snuck away to go fuck their brains out? “Killian asked.
“No. I know they’ll be back at some time tonight. They have to be at the celebration for their people.”
“Then what was so rude?” Max asked with indifference, his gaze locked on the two men swimming in the sea.
“They could have at least let us watch like Grin and Leigh are doing,” Rand answered then broke out laughing when Killian smacked him and Max gave him a mischievous smile.
“I love you, my mate. Now and forever,” Leigh whispered against Grin’s lips.
“I will love you for eternity, my Leigh,” Grin replied, then took Leigh’s lips again as he dove under the water.
Zion and Devon landed on the balcony of their new bedchamber and shifted back. Zion grabbed Devon up into his arms and ran into the room, tossing Devon on the bed, then followed him down, laying between his legs. “You are every breath I take, and I live to see you smile and make you happy. I love you, Devon.”
Devon smiled up at Zion as tears burned the backs of his eyes. He reached up and ran his fingers through Zion’s hair. “I belong to you. I always have and I always will. You are the blood that runs through my veins and beats my heart. You are the air in my lungs that give me life. You are the spirit in my soul that makes me whole. You are life, Zion. Without you I don’t exist. I love you, my mate.” Devon leaned up and kissed Zion. He was right where he wanted to be forever, and right where he belongs for eternity. In his mate’s arms.
The story of Zion and Devon can be found in Maggie’s Dragon Realm Series.
Return of the Dragon King book 1
And Leigh and Grin’s story can be found in book 2- Rescue of the Dragon King.
Book 3 of the Dragon Realm Series will be coming Fall of 2017.
By Maggie Walsh
PART I
Tonight's Gonna Be A Good Night.
Today was the day. The castle was all in a buzz, as well as the kingdom itself, as the servants all raced around trying to get everything ready, and the people of his and Zion’s two clans worked around the clock to prepare the lands for today’s festivities.
Devon lay still with his eyes closed, enjoying the feel of his loves naked body pressed against his back, as he breathed softly in sleep. The light caress of Zion’s warm breath tickled Devon’s neck, causing a smile to spread across his lips. He loved this man more than anything and couldn’t live a day without his mate. Thoughts of what today truly meant surrounded Devon with a sense of peace.
For today, he and Zion would be wed in the traditional ceremony of their peoples, before both of their clans, and finally joining both of their kingdoms to become one. Even though he and Zion had been mated almost two years ago, they wanted to wait to have the official ceremony until their new castle, that now sat in the center of both their lands, was ready. It had been a long road for them to make it here, and he and Zion wanted to make sure all their people felt a part of this future that was promised even before Devon’s birth.
When his mother, Queen Isabell was pregnant with him, the great prophet of the dragon realm had spoken with his father, King Romen, and Zion’s father, King Argo, and told them of what he had seen. The first of true fated mates in over four thousand years in the dragon realm was about to be born. He saw Devon and Zion’s mating and how they would bring the six dragon clans together in peace for thousands of years.
But Zion’s Uncle Melkin had other plans. He wanted the Ingenium kingdom for himself, so he joined with Jana, the man who would be appointed as steward of the Luman clan after Devon’s disappearance, and they had killed Devon’s father when Devon was ten, then they scared his mother, a human, into leaving the dragon realm with him and hiding them in the human realm. Once there, Devon’s memories had been wiped, and he had no idea who or what he really was.
Zion had never given up hope that he would find Devon, and spent every day that he had been gone sending out his warriors to search all the realms for Devon. Then one day, a few weeks before Zion was to turn twenty-three and lose his throne to Melkin forever, they had found Devon. He had been shocked to learn the truth of who he was, and who Zion was to him, but he knew they belonged together.
For weeks before Zion had found him, Devon had been having dreams of a great love. One that would make him feel complete, and safe, and loved. He dreamed of Zion and had already loved him when they met. But because of Devon’s horrible human life where he had been forced into prostitution, he didn’t think he was worthy of Zion or his love, but Zion wouldn’t give him up.
They, along with their friends, the other four kings, and Grinold, Zion’s best friend and right hand, had managed to uncover the conspiracy that had killed Devon’s father, took Devon away, and even made his life the hell that it was. Secretly, they destroyed Melkin and Jana’s plans by mating before Zion’s birthday. When the clans all joined for the celebration, and what Melkin thought would be the moment his brother, King Argo, would have to appoint him the new king instead of Zion, because Melkin believed Devon to still be lost in the human realm, therefore Zion couldn’t have mated him by the deadline, Melkin and Jana were shocked when Devon made his appearance. That is when all the secrets of his father's murder and Devon’s disappearance had come out. Melkin still demanded he be crowned king seeing as Devon had just been found and Zion hadn’t claimed him. Boy was he shocked and angry when he learned that they had in fact mated and claimed one another insuring Zion’s rightful place as the new king of the Ingenium Clan.
Zion was then crowned king and Devon being the only heir to the Luman throne, was crowned as well, joining their two kingdoms, and making the prophecy come to life.
But today they would perform the official marriage ceremony that all the kings before them had done to wed their chosen mate. But today would be extra special because it was not only he and Zion who were getting married, but two of their best friends Leigh and Grinold, who were also true mates.
Leigh was the king of the Adequo clan, and Grin was an Ingenium dragon. He had always been Zion’s best friend, but also his assistant, advisor, and right hand. Leigh and Grin had spent most of their lives loving each other from afar, but neither admitting their true feelings. Grin didn’t think he was good enough for Leigh because Grin wasn’t royalty, but Leigh couldn’t care less. He loved Grin for who he was.
Then one night after Devon’s return, he and Grin had a long talk, and something he said made Grin finally act and he went to Leigh and admitted his feelings. Leigh confessed to his own feelings and they were shocked to find upon sleeping together, that they were actually true mates. A dragon didn’t know his true mate by scent or sight anymore as they once did. Dragons now had to have sex with someone to know if they had found their true mate. That is one of the reasons dragons have so many bed partners.
But four thousand years ago after a war with the magics, no dragon had ever found their true mate again, and the sight and scent of discovering ones mate, had disappeared. The dragons believed it to be a curse placed upon them by the magics. But even though they could no longer find their mate by smell or sight and no dragon had found their fated mate since the war, they kept trying, and believing that one day they would. Now that the prophecy of Devon and Zion’s mating had come true and Leigh and Grin so soon after, the dragons of all the clans were now more promiscuous than ever, as they tried to find their one true mate.
Grin and Leigh had gone through their own problems as their mating began, with a sick race of beings known as Finfolk abducting some of Leigh’s people and then Leigh himself. But they had battled the creatures and defeated them, saving Leigh’s people. Now they were also ready to perform the marital ceremony of their people in a joint service with he and Zion.
Devon knew the day was going to be busy, but very special, and he couldn’t wait to get started. He opened his eyes and saw that the sun was just lighting the sky and knew he needed to get up. The royal tailor would be in soon to make the final adjustments on his and Zion’s clothes for the ceremony.
Devon slowly slid from under Zion’s arm, but just as he made it to the edge of their bed, a large hand reached around, pressing against his stomach and pulled him back. Devon laughed as his back came in contact with Zion’s muscular chest again.
“Sneaking away, my husband?” Zion’s sleep rough voice whispered in his ear.
He loved the sound of Zion’s voice at any time, but first thing in the morning it sounded extra sexy and caused a shiver of desire to run through him. Devon leaned back into Zion’s embrace as his eyes closed, luxuriating in the pleasure of being safe in his man’s arms. “We have so much to do today, love. Morow, the tailor, will be here soon, and we still need to have breakfast and shower.”
“Well, I know of a great way for us to take care of all of that and still meet with Morow on time. Even though we are the kings and he will wait for us if we are late.”
“That’s true, but if we are late with him, we may be late for the rest of the day and I refuse to be late to my own wedding.”
“Excited, are we?” Zion asked as he ran his tongue around the shell of Devon’s ear, causing him to quiver.
“Yes. Today I marry the man of my dreams. The man I love with all my heart and soul. There is no way I will be late for that.”
Zion pulled back slightly and turned Devon to his back, then leaned up on one arm as he raised, hovering over Devon, looking down at him, a big dopey smile on his face. “I love you too, mate, and even though we are already bound and it cannot be broken, I can’t wait to marry you too in the ceremony of our people. In front of both our clans.”
Devon raised a hand and cupped Zion’s cheek as he saw moisture build in his mate’s beautiful emerald eyes. “This is a big day for so many, Zion. Today we join not only in the ceremony, but we officially join our clans, and become one kingdom. Today proves to all in our realm and the others, that the prophecy has begun, and all the dragon clans will join in peace for thousands of years.”
“Then by all means let’s get this day started. But not before I say a proper good morning to my husband,” Zion said, then leaned in and claimed Devon’s lips in a slow, tender kiss.
Devon melted into the moment, pushing away all thought of the day, and just allowed himself to feel Zion’s love.
After a few minutes, Zion pulled back and in one swift movement, he climbed from the bed, taking Devon with him in his strong embrace, and carried him to the bathroom. “Now to take care of the rest of your luscious body before we eat,” Zion growled before he buried his face into Devon’s throat and began nibbling, then pushed the door closed with his foot.
~ * ~ * ~
“Mmm, now that’s the best way to start the day,” Grin groaned.
Leigh smiled around the cock in his mouth as he sucked harder, making Grin moan deep. His man’s hands gripped the sheets as he arched his back, and pressing his head further into the pillows below him. Leigh loved watching his mate fall apart from his ministrations. Since their mating two years ago, this had become their morning ritual. Whoever awoke first, feasted on the others cock until they awakened in the most delightful way. Most of the time it was Grin who woke up first and treated Leigh to his talented mouth, as he sucked Leigh deep. Many mornings Grin also threw in his fingers as he opened Leigh up so Grin could drive inside him, claiming him on a daily basis, and Leigh fucking loved it.
But today was really special. Today he was going to marry his true mate in the marital ceremony of his clan. Leigh wanted to make today truly memorable for Grin and show his man how much he loved him. Leigh sucked Grin to the back of his throat, deep-throating him, then swallowed around the bulbous head.
“Oh, by the gods, mate!” Grin yelled out.
Leigh grabbed the tube if slick and poured some on his fingers as he continued to distract Grin with his mouth. He pulled his mouth back to the tip, and speared his tongue into the little slit, sucking hard to draw out Grin’s delicious honey. They did say that breakfast was the most important meal of the day, and Leigh sure loved his protein.
“Fuck, Leigh! I think you’re trying to kill me with ecstasy, mate.”
Mmm, Leigh liked that idea. Not the killing his mate part of course, because he couldn’t survive a day without Grin now that they had claimed each other. But losing his man to the ecstasy was a good plan. Leigh slid off Grin’s cock and nibbled his way down the underside, pressing his tongue against the thick bulging vein. Swirling his tongue around Grin’s sac, he played with Grin’s balls for a moment, licking and sucking, then licked down Grin’s perineum as he gave Grin’s thigh a push with one hand.
Grin understood and pulled his legs back, giving Leigh more room and exposing his puckered hole for Leigh’s enjoyment. He shifted his position, lying down on his stomach between Grin’s thighs, then placed his hands on the backs of Grin’s legs as he moved his face closer to his prize. Leigh licked a path up Grin’s crease, flattening his tongue against his tight hole.
Grin moaned, and writhed against him, asking for more. Leigh licked around the muscles, teasing the opening. Slowly he speared his tongue into his lover as he caressed his hands down Grin’s legs and gripped his muscled globes, spreading his man further. Leigh loved the taste of his mate and loved making Grin go out of his mind with pleasure.
Siding one finger in beside his tongue, Leigh lost himself in the moment and feasted on Grin. Adding another finger, Leigh doubled his efforts. By the time he had three fingers thrusting easily in and out of his mate alongside his tongue, Grin was crying out incoherently and Leigh new his man was on the edge. Leigh slid a forth finger in and Grin arched up, his ass tightening. Leigh kept his fingers thrusting into his man, but pulled back and engulfed Grin’s cock with his mouth, just in time for Grin to explode, filling his mouth with his seed.
Leigh swallowed everything his man gave him as he fucked him through his orgasm with his fingers. Grin dropped back against the bed and panted heavily. Leigh gently licked Grin’s cock clean, then slowly pulled his fingers free and slid up Grin’s body, pressing his body against Grin’s sweat-soaked skin. He put his nose against Grin’s chest and took in a deep breath through his nose, loving his man's scent, and letting it fill him, calming him.
They lay wrapped in each other's arms as their breathing slowed and their hearts regained a normal rhythm. Grin hugged Leigh against him and kissed his head. “Good morning, my heart.” Leigh could hear the smile in Grin’s voice.
“Good morning, my everything,” Leigh replied.
Grin chuckled. “I think we need to get up and start getting ready. Your tailor should be here soon to help get us dressed.”
“Can we fool around in the shower? My body misses you inside it.” Leigh rubbed his body along Grin’s side.
“And I miss being inside you. I couldn’t think of a better way to get ready to share our lives together in the official ceremony, than to share our bodies first.”
Leigh kissed Grin’s chest, then rolled away, slinking off the bed. He stood and swayed his hips sensually as he walked away. Just as he got to the bathroom door, he stopped in the doorway, placed one hand high on the doorframe, then turned to look at Grin over his shoulder, giving him a sexy look. “Well come on, lover. Don’t keep me empty for too long.” Leigh blew Grin a kiss, then turned and disappeared into the bathroom.
He went to the walk-in shower and turned the knobs, allowing all the jets and the rainfall showerhead to turn on at full blast. Just as he was about to step in, strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind, as Grin moved them both forward under the spray. Today was going to be a good Day.
PART II
“Going to the chapel...”
“Let’s go you buttlickers,” Max yelled as he walked into Zion and Devon’s suite.
Zion walked out from behind the changing screen, sliding his sword into the sheath at his left hip attached to the baldric around his waist, and gave his friend a smirk. “Pot calling the kettle black. And there’s only one butt I lick thank you very much.”
Max whistled as he walked around Zion, inspecting him as Zion stood before the full-length mirror. “Wow, look at you...swanky.”
“Well it is the official marriage ceremony, so I have to where my formal suit. And you look pretty good yourself dressed in your kingly best.”
“What, this old thing?” Max replied in a silly voice as he fanned himself and fluttered his eyelashes.
Zion laughed as he shook his head at his friend’s antics, then began inspecting himself. Zion was dressed in his best kingly formalwear. Silky black breeches, tucked into knee-high black leather boots. A long-sleeved white tunic that hung down to just below his ass, with the green clan crest of a tree of life in the center. Zion grabbed a blue sash from the rack beside the mirror and wrapped it around his waist, covering up the black leather baldric, and tying the sash to the right. Zion smiled as he caught Max’s raised brow in the mirror. “It is the sash of the Luman clan.”
“Ah, that’s right. So that’s why you’re wearing a matching one around your hair,” Max stated.
“Yes,” Zion said with a smile and touched his low pony gathered at the nape. His long black hair had been pulled back and gathered, and a smaller, but similar sash of matching blue was wrapped intricately around his pony. Zion lowered his hand and reached for his cloak.
Max stepped forward and took the garment from Zion, then stepped behind him. Hanging the floor-length cape of dark green with brown fur collar over Zion’s shoulders. Zion clasped the two sides together in front with the gold chain, the brown fur collar not quite meeting, leaving a six-inch gap between the two sides. As Zion adjusted the garment, pushing the cloak over his shoulders to cascade down his back, Max walked across the room and retrieved Zion’s crown.
He came back to stand behind Zion, then lifted his hands, the crown between them, and placed the golden ring upon Zion’s head. Zion loved the intricacy, but simplicity of the crown of the Luman clan. The bottom ring was a braid with a large emerald gemstone in the center, with a large Celtic cross knot above it, creating the peak. Leading out the two sides of the cross was more braided gold bands that joined the cross to smaller Celtic crosses at the two sides and one smaller one in the back, with smaller Celtic crosses in the gaps between the lower and upper braids. And Zion had his royal jewel maker place golden diamond gemstones in the center of the smaller Celtic crosses, as a surprise for his love. With their two kingdoms joining, Zion thought it would be a good gesture to adorn his crown with the gem of the Luman Clan as well.
“Damn if you don’t look like a king,” Max teased.
“I know, right?” Zion said with a smile, also teasing.
“So where is your gorgeous mate?”
“Devon went to another chamber to get prepared. He said something about not seeing each other before the ceremony.”
“But didn’t you sleep together last night?” Max asked.
“Of course. There was no way I wasn’t going to wake up on such an important day without my mate in my arms,” Zion replied.
“Not much different than any other day.”
“Very true. I never want to wake up again without my Devon.”
“Then why the no seeing one another? You already have,” Max asked as he sat on the edge of the bed and watched his friend.
“I honestly don’t know. Devon said something about it being a tradition with the humans. They don’t see each other before the wedding. When I asked why not, he said he thought it was because the brides wanted to make a grand entrance and get the biggest ‘Wow’ factor from their intended and the guests,” Zion explained with a shrug.
“O-kaay. But can I just point out that neither of you are female.”
Zion gave him a smile as their gazes met in the mirror. “I am very aware of that. I don’t understand it, but if that is what my mate wants, then that is what he gets. He also said it might be nice if we had that same effect with one another. That ‘Wow’ factor as we saw each other for the first time in our ceremonial garb.”
“Actually, I can understand that,” Max said, then his expression turned serious as his gaze roamed over Zion. “You do look great, my friend. Devon won’t be able to keep his hands off you.”
“Well that is what I was going for.” Zion chuckled. “But seriously, thanks.” Zion gave himself a last look from head to toe, then turned. “I think I’m ready.”
Max stood as he gave Zion a big smile. “Alright then, let’s go get you married.” The two laughed as they walked from the room together.
~ * ~ * ~
“I don’t understand why we had to travel to the ceremony in separate carriages,” Grin grumbled for the hundredth time as he sat in the back of the horse drawn carriage with his friend, King Killian.
“For the thousandth time, Leigh wanted what he looked like to be a surprise,” Killian huffed in frustration.
“See, I don’t get that. I already know what he looks like. Hell, I know what he looks like better than anyone. He is my mate,” Grin grumbled.
Killian smirked. “Yes, but you have never seen him in his formal ceremonial dress before.”
Grin’s head snapped in Killian’s direction as he looked at him in surprise. “He’s wearing a dress?”
Killian grunted as he shook his head. “No, you idiot. He’s wearing the formal ceremonial garb of the king,” Killian huffed, but then his facial expression changed to a thoughtful one. “Then again, you never know with King Leigh. There is always the possibility that he had the tailor rip that sucker apart and remake it to fit his style more.”
Grin turned back to face the front. “Well, I don’t care what he’s wearing. I know he will look fucking hot. My baby always does.”
“And it’s not as though he’s going to be wearing it for long anyway,” Kill said.
“Very true. I know one look at my man and I’ll be ripping off whatever he has on and sinking into him within minutes.” Grin’s smile was salacious.
“Yeah, there is always that, but I was talking about the Adequo marital ceremony itself. You know, when the two of you have to strip and shift into your dragons, flying off together in a sky dance, before diving into the Valarian Sea and claiming your mate underwater?”
Grin’s smirk grew as his eyes filled with lust. “Oh, yeah. Nope, haven’t forgotten that part. Been practicing holding my breath under water.”
“You know you don’t actually have to stay under the water? You can peak your heads out as you fuck Leigh’s brains out.”
“I know, but I am sure going to try to stay under as long as possible. The longer we stay under, the less of our claiming others will see.”
“Aah, that’s so cute,” Killian said with a sigh as he placed a hand on his chest.
“Cute?”
“Yeah, the way you’re afraid to let everyone see your fat ass.”
Killian busted out laughing and tried to get away as Grin swept out to hit him.
“Asshole,” Grin grumbled.
~ * ~ * ~
Devon stood, staring at his reflection in the mirror as he flattened his hand on his chest and ran it down his stomach. He knew that most of the time he and the other kings just wore normal clothes, well, normal for kings. But they did wear jeans at times as well as leather pants. But he loved when the occasion came where he could put on their finest. Maybe it had something to do with not growing up around it that made him love it so much. All his official kingly garb was gorgeous and reminded him of Medieval times back in the human realm.
Looking down at his feet Devon began to inspect himself. He wore white leather breeches, tucked into knee-length light brown leather boots. Over his top he wore a knee length golden suede vest tunic with four slim light brown leather straps with golden buckles down the chest that fastened the two sides together, and he would normally wear a white long sleeve silk shirt underneath, but today, he wore an emerald green one in honor of his mate and the Ingenium people. Since returning to the dragon realm, Devon had allowed his golden blond hair to grow and it was now almost to his waist, which was almost as long as Zion’s gorgeous, silky jet-black hair.
He allowed the tresses to hang loose down his back, like Zion liked it, with his golden crown upon the top. He loved the large Fleur De Lis that sat in the front, making the point, with the large teardrop shaped golden diamond encrusted in the top of the design. A full bridal of smaller Fleur De Lis wrapped around to the back, making up the crown. Devon has the royal jewel maker replace every other smaller golden diamond in the other Fleur de Lis’ with Emerald’s to match Zion’s. Devon thought that with their two kingdoms joining, that it would be the right thing to do. He hoped Zion and the people of the Ingenium Clan liked the gesture.
“Damn, you are hot. But I don’t think you’re showing enough skin,” Leigh announced as he and King Rand walked in.
Devon smiled at his friends through the mirror. “Well look at you. Hot and sexy as sin, as always. You look fabulous, Leigh,” Devon replied and he turned to face them and gave Leigh an appreciative look.
“Oh, don’t blow up his already over inflated head up more than it already is,” Rand complained as he dropped down into a chair.
“You’re just jealous because I am a thousand times hotter than you, and you will never get into these pants,” Leigh snarked.
“You barely got into them yourself, they’re so tight. But I don’t think I would have a problem getting into them. I would just have to go to the royal painter and have him brush them on.”
Leigh gave him an insulted look, then smiled and gave Rand a wink. “Very true.” Leigh laughed, then sat on the arm of Rand’s chair.
Devon looked at Leigh, impressed. With the tightness of his ultramarine leather pants, Devon didn’t know how he was sitting down. But he had to admit, Leigh looked hot as hell and still looked kingly. The white leather ankle boots with a slight heel looked good with the pants, and his long-sleeved, pure white silk wrap tunic, with ultramarine embroidery that looked like waves around the bottom hem, and sleeves looked, fantastic. At the waist, he wore the baldric with his sword sheathed, but what surprised Devon was Leigh had wrapped an emerald green sash over the baldric belt.
“You’re wearing the color of the Ingenium,” Devon commented.
Leigh gave him a shy smile. “I did it for Grin. He is a nature dragon of the Ingenium after all.”
Devon gave Leigh a bright smile. “I think it’s a wonderful gesture.”
“Here, here. That’s what I said,” Rand replied.
“So are we almost ready to go?” Leigh asked.
“Yes, I just need my cloak,” Devon answered, and reached for his floor-length white cloak, made of feathers, with a golden leather trim. As he opened it to throw around his shoulders, Leigh and Rand both gasped.
“Speaking of honoring your mate. The new silk emerald green lining is stunning. It matches the new jewels on you crown,” Leigh said.
Now it was Devon’s turn to give his friends a shy smile. “Thanks. I thought it would make Zion and his people happy.”
“Your people too now, Devon,” Rand replied.
“Yes. My people.”
Leigh stepped forward and helped Devon attach the clasp in the front and adjusted the cloak to hang gracefully down his back. “Stunning.”
Devon smiled. “How about you, Leigh? Where is your cloak?”
“I hung it by the door there along with my crown,” Leigh answered as he pointed.
“Well, let’s complete the picture and get you all fancified,” Rand said and stood. He walked to the door and retrieved Leigh’s things then returned, handing Devon the cloak.
Devon moved to stand behind Leigh, and placed the floor-length satin, ultramarin blue cloak over Leigh’s shoulders, careful of the white fur trim that ran around the whole of the hem, with sapphire jewels. As Leigh fastened the clasp at his collarbone, Rand stepped up behind him and held the crown made of white bone, that had a satin finish to give it a smooth texture. The bone rose up to a point at the top, then smoothly dropped down and wrapped around the back. A large sapphire sat in the center, with smaller sapphires circling to the back. Leigh had braided his shoulder-length blond hair, with an emerald green ribbon weaved into it.
“You both look stunning,” Rand whispered in appreciation.
Devon and Leigh turned to face Rand, giving him bright smiles, then the three hugged. After a few moments, they pulled back and all three quickly wiped at their eyes. “Shit, don’t make me cry, my mascara will run and I’ll look like a black-eyes caparari fish,” Leigh said as he sniffed.
“Come on drama queen,” Devon said and grabbed Leigh’s hand.
“That’s drama king if you don’t mind,” Leigh teased.
“Well, drama king, did you remember your signet ring?” Rand asked.
Leigh held up his right hand, showing a white gold band with a sapphire stone, with waves engraved around the band.
“Oh shoot, I almost forgot. Thanks, Rand,” Devon said, then walked to the dresser, opened a black velvet box, and took out a ring made of golden diamonds and placed it on his right hand.
“Now I’m ready,” he said with a smile.
“Okay you two, let’s get this show on the road and get you two married,” Rand said as he stepped between the two and held out his elbows. Leigh slid an arm through Rand’s left as Devon did the same on the right, and the three kings exited the room.
~ * ~* ~
The massive white castle with blue trim and conical spire roof’s shown bright in the sunlight. The six stories Keep sat at the rear of the main bailey, in the northwest corner. The with the main building where the kings would live ran along the right side, the windows, framed with gold, overlooking the grand expanse of rolling hills of Ingenium. The white curtain walls surrounding the castle was decorated in greens, blues, and golds inside and out. The large platform at the top of the granite steps leading into the main building was adorned with flowers from Ingenium, Luman, and Adequo clans, with large white candles in golden stands at the top against the back wall.
Zion and Max exited the main door and stopped to stand beside the three elders, each dressed in their clan’s robes. Zion looked out over the bailey and smiled as he saw the main area filled with members of his and Devon’s clans, as well as Leigh’s. The crowd poured out the main gates into the gardens, and Zion realized, by the colors the people wore, that they were from the other three dragon clans. The Obscurum Clan, which is where Max ruled, The Ignic Caln, where Killian ruled, and The Aerius Clan, where Rand ruled.
A white horse-drawn carriage, that Zion could see was one of Leigh’s, rode through the main gate, and through the center of the crowd, stopping at the bottom of the grand granite staircase. The coachman jumped down and opened the door, allowing Grin and Killian to exit.
“Wow, Grin cleans up nice when he’s dressed like a royal,” Max whispered beside him.
Zion chuckled. He couldn’t agree more as his gaze took in his best friend’s garb. Grin was not a king, but he was mated to one, which made him the king’s consort, and as such he didn’t have a crown...yet, or the royal robes and cape of the king, but his clothes spoke of his station. Once the marital ceremony was complete, Grin would be crowned with a smaller, but matching crown to Leigh’s.
Zion and Max chuckled low as they watched Grin climb the steps looking very uncomfortable and like he was about to throw up. Not that Grin wasn’t used to standing, or talking in front of large crowds, being Zion’s assistant and right hand for many years, but this was different. Grin was born a warrior of the Ingenium Clan, but once he mated Leigh, he was now a part of the Adequo Clan and Leigh’s chief advisor, and leader of his guard. Being a royal was new to him and the idea still made Grin nervous, especially being the first king’s consort in the history of the Adaquo Clan. There was once a consort in the Ignic Clan over a thousand years ago, but that was the only one they had ever heard of, so this was new ground for all of them.
The large wooden door of the main house opened again and Zion turned to see his father walk out, dressed in his royal finest, minus the crown, now that it belonged to Zion. His father walked to him and stood beside Zion. “You look wonderful, my son.”
“Thank you, father.”
“As do you, King Maximus.”
“Thank you, Argo. It is a good day for the festivities,” Max replied.
“I agree. But looking at Grin you would think he was going to the gallows,” Argo said with a laugh, making Zion and Max laugh too.
“It will just take him some time to get used to his new position,” Zion said.
“I’m sure Leigh will teach him a whole lot of new positions,” Max teased and the three burst out laughing.
“You are terrible, King Maximus,” Argo replied, but there was no anger in his voice, only laughter.
“I’m glad you three are so relaxed,” Grin grumbled and he and Killian joined them.
“Just remember this, Grinold. You are already mated to Leigh, this is just a formal ceremony to appease the elders and our people. Think of it as a big party, like a reception, to honor your and Leigh, and Zion and Devon’s bonds,” Argo replied.
“I understand that, your highness, but this outfit is just…” Grin replied as he looked down at himself.
Zion looked over his friend’s attire. Grin may be a little uncomfortable, but the man looked hot. White leather breeches, with dark brown knee-high boots, a white silken tunic with long sleeves and a slight puff to the shoulders, with dark brown leather armor bands on both forearms from wrist to elbow, and the ultramarine blue doublet vest tied together with white leather roping going down the front, looked amazing. Then there was his brown leather baldric around his waist with his sword sheathed at his left hip, and on his right side, a shoulder cape with ultramarine blue lining of silk and the white feathers to match Leigh’s kingly cloak on the outside, and his long dark hair hung down behind him, cinched together at the nape with a white and ultramarine ribbon. Grin may not realize it, but he looked kingly.
“Just what?” Max asked and Zion could see his friend was trying very hard not to laugh at Grin.
Grin sighed heavily. “You all were born to be king’s and have worn things like this your whole life, but I feel like I’m a fraud.”
Argo stepped forward and placed a hand on Grin’s shoulder, looking into his eyes. “Grinold, I have known you your whole life and you are a good, decent, honorable man. You are not beneath us and we are not above you. Yes, we were all fortunate enough to be born royals, but that does not make us better than you. All you boys, along with Leigh, Devon, and Rand, have been friends since you were toddlers. None of you see the others as anything less or more than just your friend, and that is how it should be. You may not have been born a royal, Grinold, but you are one now because of your love, devotion, and mating to Leigh. Would you want it any other way?”
Grin stared at Argon for a moment before he gave the former king a small smile. “No. I understand what you are saying, your highness and you’re right. I love Leigh with all that I am and I would do anything for him. Including standing up in front of all the clans wearing this monkey garb,” Grin said with conviction, then smirked and started to chuckle.
“You boys are all the present and the future of the dragon realm. Because of your close bonds the prophecy of peace will come to pass. Honor each other, and hold your bonds dear,” Argo said, then nodded his head toward the main gate. They all turned to see the carriage that carried Devon, Leigh, and Rand, starting to enter under the arch as the people outside the walls began to cheer.
“Ready gentlemen?” Argo asked and Zion and Grin nodded.
“Let’s take our places then,” Argo replied and turned, taking his place to stand in front of the three elders. Zion and Max moved to stand to the far right and Grin and Killian moved to stand to the far left, then they all turned to watch the approaching carriage.
PART III
“I’ll love you for a thousand years.”
As the carriage drove through the main gate and entered the bailey, the clans people inside cheered and threw flowers toward the kings. Some fell to their knees and wept, and all the others bowed and curtsied as the kings rode by. The carriage rode down the center of the bailey on the red carpet, and stopped at the bottom on the grand stairs. The coachman jumped from his place beside the driver, and opened the door. Twelve armored men approached, six from each side and lined the edge of the carpet at the bottom of the stairs, all standing at perfect attention. Two from each dragon clan, dressing in the armor of their clan, there to represent their king and clan.
Rand stepped out and turned, standing at attention, with his left arm crossed over his chest. Leigh stepped out next, bowing his head slightly at Rand then stepping a few feet forward. Devon was next, copying Leigh, as he gave a slight bow of the head to Rand, then moved to stand beside Leigh. Rand took his place behind them, and the twelve guardsmen raised their swords high, crossing them with the man across from him, to form and arch. Devon and Leigh walked through the arch, with Rand following. As they exited the arch, they began to ascend the grand stars.
Zion was awestruck at how handsome his mate looked. Devon was the most beautiful man he had ever seen, but today he was simply breathtaking. Zion heard a low growl coming from the other side and flicked his gaze to Grin. He smiled when he saw the lust in his friend's eyes as his gaze remained fixed on Leigh. Zion looked back to the approaching men, and his gaze locked with his mates. His heart filled with peace and love as he saw the intense look of love for him coming from his mate.
The three kings made it to the top of the stairs, and walked to stand beside them. Devon moved to Zion’s left as Leigh moved to stand on Grin’s right. Devon and Leigh standing beside one another with a twelve-inch gap between them, where Rand stood just a few feet behind them. His gaze never left Devon’s as they got into place and now stood here waiting. A soft clearing of the throat drew Zion’s attention, breaking the spell between he and his mate, and they both turned forward to see his father Argo chuckling as he looked toward Leigh and Grin.
Zion looked past Devon as his mate turned to see what was happening, and they both began to laugh as they saw Leigh pressed up against Grin, their lips joined passionately.
“You’re supposed to save that part until the end, gentlemen,” Argo admonished lightly.
The crowds seemed to like what they were doing, if the roar of cheers and clapping was any indication. Grin released Leigh, and Leigh took a step back, but they continued to look into one another's eyes.
Argo held up his hands to quiet the crowd. Once everything was silent, he motioned toward the main door and out walked Zion’s mother, along with Leigh and Grin’s parents, who all approached and stopped a few feet from Max’s right. Zion immediately looked to his mate and saw a tear run down Devon’s cheek, Zion turned to step in front of his mate and cupped his cheek, tipping Devon’s head back so their eyes would meet, then brushed the tear away with his thumb. “They are here, my mate. They may not be with us in the physical sense, but your parents are here, my love, and I know they are smiling down on you with pride and love,” Zion whispered, then gave Devon a soft kiss.
“Thank you, mate,” Devon replied, his voice choked with emotion.
“Let’s do this so that I can take you to our new bed chamber and hold you,” Zion whispered. Devon gave him a bright watery smile and nodded. Zion turned back and stood at Devon’s side, facing his father. Their gazes met and Zion saw his father's eyes full of pride for him, as the man gave him a smile and nodded.
Argo adjusted the microphone on the stand before him, then looked at each couple with an encouraging smile, before looking out over the mass of people joined within the kingdom.
“I want to welcome you all here today in the celebration of not only the joining of these couples, but the joining of the Ingenium Clan and the Luman Clan,” Argo began. “It has always been a dream for my Queen and I to see our son take over the thrown from me and to stand here someday with his true mate, King Devon of Luman as they officially joined our two clan’s as one. This was also the dream of my good friend, King Devon’s father, King Roman and his Queen Isabell. As you all know, we had been friends for many years, so when the great prophet came to us and told us of the prophecy of our children being true mates, which would bring all the clans together, we were beyond thrilled. So, let’s begin. Zion and Devon, Leigh and Grinold, please face one another and join hands.” They each turned to face their mate, and did as Argo instructed.
Argo cleared his throat then officially began the marital ceremony of the kings. “All of us joined here today are here to bear witness for all future generations, of the day all our clans stood as one to honor not only our king’s, but our future as a whole. Each of us have our own love stories. Some are short, some long, and others are not yet written, but we all stand here to witness and celebrate the love, commitment, and devotion of King Zion and King Devon to one another, and King Leigh and Sir Grinold Auberon to each other.
“When the kings of our realm meet the one they wish to spend eternity with, they are wed in a ceremony of their clan. But today is a special day, as we stand witness to something unseen for over four thousand years. The king’s marital ceremony of true mates. Not only for one king of our realm, but three. And they have all agreed to be joined here today to show solidarity to all of us, and to their friendships with each other, and the three other kings.
“King Maximus of the Obscurum Clan, King Rand of the Aerius Clan, and King Killian of the Ignic Clan, all stand here today as not only witnesses to this rare occasion, but as friends, and best men to these couples. We stand here today in the center of this new kingdom between the lands of Luman and Ingenium, in the new kingdom of Ingenluman as one.
“We all come here today to support you and remind you that love isn’t happily ever after. It is not a moment, not even this moment, but every moment. The big and the small, but mostly the million little moments that come between. It is the everyday. Waking together, falling asleep together, sharing intimacies together, and compromising with one another. It is working together every day in what needs to be done for your people, but also for one another. It is those little everyday moments fused together to make one big experience. It is respect, understanding, compassion, support, and love. Your mate is your best advisor, your best friend, your soft place to land, and your protector. For they hold your heart and will keep it safe.
“And even though this moment, right here, right now, is so monumental and incredible, it is just like love itself. It is meant to be felt and experienced. You have each turned toward your true mate and joined hands. Remember this moment as the first of many, as you should always turn toward your mate and join together in good times and in bad. By turning to one another, you will always stand together. It is when you turn away from your mate, that cracks can begin to form, and love can start to break down.
“King Zion and King Devon, King Leigh and Sir Grinold, you have been chosen by fate for one another. It is a bond like no other and should always be respected by all. Finding your true mate is truly an amazing and rare thing, but when you find that missing piece to your soul, as you all have, then you must grab onto it with both hands and nurture it to help it grow, then never let it go. A true mating is the most powerful covenant in our world. It has the power to bring immeasurable joy, happiness, peace, contentment, compassion, intimacy, and love like no other. And no other relationship can go as deeply as the bond of true mates.
“But mating your fated mate isn’t only about finding the other half of your soul and reuniting the two halves to make it complete. Two beings hold one soul, so two beings need to feed it to satisfy and solidify the bond and keep it together, and make it grow. Each individual needs to grow and allow the other to grow, but always come back together and accept the other for who they are now and who they will grow to become as the sands of time pass.
“Now I start with you, my son, my king. Zion,” Argo finished and looked to Zion.
Zion smiled at his father, then turned back to face Devon, giving him a loving smile, then spoke with all the love he had inside him for the man who owned him. “Devon, we were only babes when our love began. From the moment I saw you, even as a child, I knew you were mine, and I vowed to love and protect you for eternity. In the years that we were apart my heart was gone and I lived a shadow of a life, but I never gave up hope that I would find you again. As a dragon, we all know how precious our treasures are. But all that means nothing if I don’t have you, for you are the most precious treasure I have ever been gifted. You Devon, are more than my best friend and lover. You are more than my husband and confidant. You are my very heart and soul, and without you, life ceases to exist. Without you, my life is forfeit and not worth living.”
Tears built in Devon’s eyes and Zion just wanted to hold his man, but he knew they were tears of happiness and love. And as much as he wanted to just hold his man, he needed to go on.
“I, Zion, King of Ingenium, promise to sleep in your arms. To be joy to your heart and food for your soul. I accept you Devon to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what things I will discover. I vow to learn with you and grow with you, even as times and life change us both. I promise to laugh with you in good times and struggle alongside you in bad times. I promise to respect you and cherish you as an individual, a partner, and an equal, knowing that we do not complete, but complement each other. There is little to say that you haven’t already heard, and little to give that is not already freely given. I have always been yours and I always will be. I am devoted to you in every way. I marry you with no hesitation or doubt, and my commitment to you is absolute.”
“King Devon of the Luman Clan,” Argo said.
Love and light shown in Devon’s eyes as a few tears began to roll down his cheek, and he tried to control himself enough to speak. Zion, his love, his life, stood before him, vowing to be his everything. And that is exactly what Zion was. His everything. Devon cleared his throat, then swallowed thickly. “Zion even when we were apart my soul knew of you, longed for you, and loved you. You saved me and brought me home. My life was truly nothing without you. You are the balm to my soul, the core of my heart, and the wind that sets me free,” Devon said, his voice choked with emotion as more tears flowed freely down his cheeks.
“Today, I stand before all those present and promise to always love you. I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as we stand together to lead our people. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will love you when we are together and when we are apart. I vow to support you and your dreams, and to respect our differences, and to stay by your side through all the days and nights of our lives. Together we will build a life full of laughter and light, as we strive to do what is right for not only us, but all of our people. We are partners, friends, lovers, and equals in and out of our private moments. You are my heart and soul. I have always been yours, and I always will be. I give myself to you freely, and accept who you are now, and who you will grow to be. I am devoted to you in every way. I marry you without hesitation or doubt, and my commitment to you is absolute.”
“Now it is time to join you both under the traditions of both your clans, and bind you and your kingdoms together forever,” Argon announced. “Zion, your ring.”
Zion released Devon’s hands and removed his signet ring, the band made of braided gold, with a large round emerald set in the top.
“Now place your ring on your mate’s finger as you speak the binding words of the Ingenium marital promise.”
Zion clasped Devon’s left hand in his, as he used his right hand to slip his ring onto Deon’s left ring finger, and began his vow. “The fitting of this ring with its unending circle, symbolizes my everlasting love for you. The placing of this ring on your finger is the fulfillment of my dreams, to have you as my best friend, my love, and my husband, to live as one, for eternity.”
Argo turned to Devon. “And now you, King Devon. Place your ring on your mate’s finger as you speak the binding words of the Luman marital promise.”
Devon removed his signet ring and held Zion’s left hand, as he slid his ring onto Zion’s ring finger. “This ring is my precious gift to you, as a sign that from this day forward, you shall be surrounded and encircled by my love. Just as the circle is without end, my love for you is eternal. With this ring, I give you my heart. From this day forward, you shall never walk alone again. My heart will be your shelter, and my arms will be your home.”
Argo held out his hands and the elders from the Ingenium Clan and the Luman Clan stepped forward, each handing Argon a stirp of cloth. Argo raised both above his head for all to see. One was made of golden leather and the other a green vine. The third elder moved closer and slipped a third strip that was braided with both the golden leather and the green vine into Argo’s hands. “The Ingenium and Luman Clans are now one, as King Zion, and King Devon are now one. What we bind together now, let no one untie.”
Argon lowered his hands, and looked to Zion and Devon. “Zion, Devon, join your ringed hands.”
Zion and Devon did as Argon instructed and joined their hands, entwining their fingers. Argon stepped closer, then wrapped the leather strap over their joined hands, letting the end hang loose, then did the same with the green vine. Finally, he wrapped the braided strip around their hands, then looked to the other kings. Leigh turned and moved closer, as Max, Killian, and Rand did too. The four worked together to braid the three loose ends, then tied it and tucked it into the binding of Zion and Devon’s hands. Once done, the four kings stepped back, and took their original places.
Argo placed a hand over Zion and Devon’s joined ones. “The union between these two great kings have been blessed by the dragon gods, accepted by the clan’s elders, and bound together by the four other kings of our realm. What the fates have brought together, will now be as one for all time. Zion, Devon, you may now kiss your husband.”
Zion smiled brightly at Devon as he slipped his free hand around his waist and brought Devon flush against his body, then claimed his lips in a tender kiss, full of all the love he had for his mate.
After a few minutes, Argo gently cleared his throat. Zion released Devon’s lips, but held him firm against his side, their hands still bound. Zion gave his father a shy smile, and Argo chuckled.
“To start your new life as joint kings who will together rule over the newly banded Ingenluman Clan you will remain bound together for the rest of the day, to show your solidarity, and how beautifully you work together,” Argo said. Zion and Devon smiled as they looked at one another again.
“Now we turn to King Leigh and Sir Grinold Auberon. The mating of the King of the Adaquo Clan, to the former Ingenium Clan’s highest warrior, is another sign that the prophecy has begun. It is the binding together of the Adequo and the former Ingenium Clan’s. Vowing their faith and support of the new Ingenluman Clan and its kings.”
Leigh’s father, Evander, stepped forward and Argo moved to stand beside him. “King Leigh, my son, my successor, my king, we look to you for your vows to your husband, your mate.”
Leigh turned back to face Grin and his heart filled with love as his head spun. He never thought he would ever be standing here, vowing his life for eternity with anyone, much less Grin, his true mate. The man he had had a crush on since they were young boys. Since Grin had come to him and confessed his love for Leigh, Leigh’s life had been filled with immeasurable love. Grin was the perfect man for him. As Leigh thought the words, he decided to speak them.
“My Grinold, my love, my mate. I have loved you from afar for more years than I wish to admit in front of this crowd,” Leigh began, his words causing laughter through the group around them and the crowd below.
“You have always been just a dream for me, but you loving me, proves to me that dreams really do come true. Since you came to me and confessed your love for me, my life has been full of immense love. Most think because of my size, that I am not king material. But you have never shown me anything but encouragement, trust, and faith, that I could do the job. You have stood by me, giving me strength, and your complete loyalty. Your belief in me and my capabilities, set me free and give me the confidence to be the king my clan deserves.
“I love the faces you make when you stretch, the growls you make when you’re being fierce, and the humming noises you make when you eat something you are truly enjoying. I love that you don’t steal the covers at night, don’t leave your shavings in the sink, and kill the spiders for me.” Laughter rang out. “I love that I can be myself with you, as crazy as I am, and you love me all the more for it. And I love you for never being afraid to be silly with me, and for putting up with my sense of humor. I love that I am the only one who knows how funny you can be, and how truly tender you are. I love you for being my best friend and my biggest supporter. For always treating me with respect, trust, and love. And I love your infinite understanding and patience. I am crazy about you, and the passion, determination, and perseverance you maintain in everything you do. And I love you for always believing in me and making me feel strong.
“I vow to be there for you through the exceptional times and the miserable one. I will be there with you through the silly times and the stinky times, which on occasion, are the same thing.”
The roar of laughter surrounding them, made Leigh laugh too, as Grin blushed. “Sorry, my love, but it needed to be said. Now where was I? Oh yeah. I vow to love you and keep on loving you for the million little things you do that make you unique and make my smile. I will even love you for the things that you do that make me frown, for they are also a part of who you are. I love everything about you. I vow to support you in every endeavor emotionally and spiritually. I would have said physically, but you are just way too damn heavy.”
This time Grin joined in the laughter, and the sound of his deep laugh made Leigh shiver with need. He took a calming breath as he tried to get his cock to go down. Thank the dragon gods he was wearing the long tunic. Leigh hoped it kept his arousal concealed. He guessed not when Grin’s nostrils flared and his eyes sparkled and turned dark with lust. He needed to hurry this little ceremony along so they could get to the truly good part of his binding with his mate. Zion and Devon’s binding was beautiful and a bit kinky with them being tied together, but Leigh always dreamed of performing the Adequo marital ceremony with his husband someday. And now it was here.
“Shit. Yes, okay. Grin, my love, my mate, I vow to be honest with you in my actions and my words. I will stay true to you, always trusting in you. I promise to talk to you and to listen. To stand by you and challenge you. To give and be present. I promise to always put our mating first as it should be, and to always work on us and to try. I promise to always choose you and us every day and to set aside my pride. I promise to be good to you, and cherish you and your heart forever. Simply...I love you Grinold Auberon, with every breath I take and everything that I am.”
Leigh’s father smiled at Leigh then turned to Grin. “Sir Grinold Auberon, you may say your vows.”
Grin clasped Leigh’s hands tighter, still not believing how lucky he was to be blessed with Leigh as his mate. “Leigh, my heart, my love. You propel me forward. You are the calm before the storm and the patience that’s keeps me grounded. You are good, and humble, happy and funny, sweet and stable. When everyone tells me how amazing you are, they remind me of the reasons why I love you so much. You are the point source of my inspiration and the anchor to my soul. You make me want to be a better man every day. In this expansive universe of space and stardust, I found you, the perfect mate for me and the only person I want to spend my life with, my eternity with.
“I’m not very good with words and I tried to find a quote from a famous author, but I couldn’t find anything, because everything I found gave no justice to the way I feel when I am with you. Nothing lived up to the way my skin shivers when you smile, or how bad my face hurts from how you make me smile. I never thought that you would love me and when you did, my heart came alive. I never dreamed I could love someone as much as I love you.”
Leigh tried to hold back the tears, but it was impossible. Grin said he wasn’t good with words, but right now his words were filling Leigh’s heart with love and reminding him why he truly loved this man. Grin may not be a royal, or the most eloquent, but Grin never held back his love for him and showered him with it every day. His bottom lip quivered as the tears that built in his eyes began to fall.
“Leigh, you are my heart, my sun, and my stars. Thank you, mate, for loving me and showing me what love is. Because of your love I feel like I can face anything. So, for that I promise myself to you now and for always. I promise to always give you my kisses, my smiles, my hugs, my laughter, my tears, my hope, and my fears. I promise to eat weird food with you at strange hours as we laugh. And I promise to always laugh at horrible inappropriate things with you. I promise to say I am sorry when I am wrong, though we both know that I never am, oof―” Grin released a grunt of air as Leigh jabbed him in the gut and sneered playfully at him. Grin laughed and continued. “And I promise to forgive you when you are,” Grin chuckled and tried to move away as Leigh reached out to smack him again. The others around them and the crowd below laughed and cheered. “And I also promise to make fun with you, or at least kiss you after I make fun of you.”
“You ass,” Leigh grumbled, giving Grin a nasty look, but the glint of approval in his eyes told Grin his mate wasn’t truly angry.
Grin pulled Leigh close and cupped his cheek with one hand as he looked deeply into his eyes. “I vow to always support your dreams, even if they scare the shit out of me. I will always encourage you, and support you to reach your goals and be the amazing king I know you already are. I promise to say I love you, even if we fight, because you should always know how much you mean to me. I vow to always smile when you laugh and hug you when you cry. I swear to never take you for granted and I will always thank you for everything you do and all the love you give. I will always hold your hand in quiet comfort when times are tough, or even when they aren’t, because when you hold my hand, my anxiety clams, I sleep better, and though all may not be right in our world, all is right with us, especially when I am with you. I vow to you, my love, that for as long as I live, what I possess I give to you. I will keep you and hold you, comfort and cherish you, protect and shelter you, for all the days of my life, until my last breath and beyond. And above all, I will love you forever, my mate, my heart, my life.”
King Evander smiled happily as he looked at Grin. “Are you sure you’re not good with words?” He teased and Leigh loved the blush that rose up Grin’s cheeks.
“Now that you, beloved friends and family of King Leigh and Sir Grinold, have heard them recite their vows, do you promise, from this day forward, to encourage them and love them, to give them your guidance, and to support them in being steadfast in the promised that they have made?” A chorus of “We do” rang out across the crowd.
“May the blessings of life, the joy of love, the peace of truth, and the wisdom and strength of Spirit, be your constant companion, now and always as husbands and true mates. We will now exchange the rings which will symbolize your commitment to one another.” Evander held out his hand and Leigh slipped his signet ring from his finger and placed it in his father's hand. Grin removed his warrior ring, a black band made of braided vines, with an emerald in the top, and placed it in Evander’s hand.
Evander held up his hands high. “These rings are made from humble beginnings of imperfect metal to create something striking where there once was nothing. It is customary to wear a marital ring on the only finger with a vein running directly to the heart. These rings are the outward sign that Leigh and Grinold have committed themselves to one another. May the dragon gods bless these rings as they have blessed this union.”
Evander lowered his hands and held out his open palm to Grinold. Grin took his ring from Evander, then put it to Leigh’s finger as he gave Grin his hand.
“Now place your ring on your mate’s finger as you speak the binding words of the Ingenium marital promise.”
Grin then spoke the same words as Zion had, the words of his people. “The fitting of this ring with its unending circle, symbolizes my everlasting love for you. The placing of this ring on your finger is the fulfillment of my dreams, to have you as my best friend, my love, and my husband, to live as one, for eternity.”
Evander held out his hand toward Leigh. “King Leigh, place your ring on your mate’s finger as you make the marital vow.”
Leigh took his ring, then placed it on Grin’s finger. “I give you this ring as a reminder that I will love, honor, and cherish you at all times, in all places, and in all ways, forever. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship, and the promise of all my tomorrows,” Leigh responded quietly as he slipped his signet ring on Grin’s finger.
Evander placed his hand over their joint hands. “Now before these witnesses who have assembled here today, and as much as you have each pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love, and devotion, I now pronounce you husband and husband, under the powers of the Universe and the blessing of fate and the dragon gods, let no one put asunder. You may kiss your husband.”
Leigh plastered himself to Grin’s front and wrapped his arms around his neck. Grin wrapped Leigh in his arms and claimed his lips in a passionate kiss. Tongues dueled, teeth clashed, and lips punished. The kiss was a claiming for all to see. After a few minutes, Evander cleared his throat. “Okay you two, we have a little more to get to.”
Grin released Leigh’s lips and tried to step back, but Leigh kept his hold around Grin’s neck firm.
“Leigh, my son, we still need to crown Sir Grinold as King Consort, so release him. You will be joining in the ceremonial mating in just a few moments,” Evander whispered as he smiled at his son.
Leigh released Grin and stood beside him, holding his hand, as they faced his father. Evander stepped back as Zion, Devon, Max, Killian, and Rand moved to stand before them. One of the elders moved forward and held out an ultramarine blue pillow with the white crown resting in its center. Together Zion and Devon worked to pick up the crown and hold it high above their heads. Max, Rand, and Killian each placed a hand on the crown, as the elder stepped back.
“May the dragon gods bless this crown and give its wearer the wisdom needed to help his people, the strength to stand by his king, his mate, and the patience to step back in silent solidarity and let his mate rule, but giving him the best advice he can for the betterment of their kingdom,” Zion said.
They lowered the crown over Grin’s head. “Please bow, Sir Grinold, formerly of Ingenium, and now king consort to Adequo,” Max said in his deep voice. Grin bowed his head.
Max continued, "Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of Adequo according to the statutes of agreement of all the clans of the dragon realm?
"I solemnly promise."
Rand then spoke. "Will you, to your best ability, stand by your mate as he fulfills the promise of his crown to uphold the law and justice in mercy to be executed in all his judgements?"
"I will."
Killian was next. "Will you serve your kingly mate as an advisor to him with the best intentions for the people of Adequo as your guide”
“I will.”
Together the kings placed the white crown on Grin’s head. Once in place the kings stepped back. “Raise your head, Sir Grinold, King’s consort of Adequo, and stand tall and proud at your mate, your king’s side,” Devon said. Grin raised his head and met each of the king’s gazes, then stopped on his best friend, Zion.
Zion gave him a watery smile and Grin could see all the love and pride Zion had for him. “May the dragon gods smile down upon you both as you lead the people of Adequo to the best of your ability, with love, compassion, understanding, and honor.”
The kings all stepped back and Evander stepped forward. “The crowning of the King’s consort is complete. People of Adequo, as your former King, I ask that you respect your new King Consort and show him the respect he deserves. To, Sir Grinold, King’s Consort!” Evander called out, then bowed to Grin.
All the members of the Adequo clan who were present, with the exception of Leigh, bowed to their new royal.
Evander straightened. “It is now time to complete the Adequo marital ceremony with the traditional first swim and claiming in the Valarian. Those who wish to witness the dance of the king, please shift and fly to the land of the Adequo. King Leigh, your people await your arrival on the shores of the Valarian.”
Leigh looked to Grin and squeezed his hand. As Grin’s gaze met his, Leigh nodded and suddenly a light grew around him. Evander moved forward and grabbed Leigh’s crown before it fell off, then looked to Grin. He immediately removed the crown and handed it to his father-in-law, then shifted along with Leigh.
Leigh’s stunning white dragon with the ultramarine blue scales on the underside and upon his head, looking like a crown, flew up into the clear blue sky alongside Grin’s massive green and brown dragon. They flew side-by-side over the rolling green hills of Ingenluman and into the Adequo lands. The sky ahead of them was full of thousands of dragons as they made their way to the shores of the Valarian Sea. Once Leigh and Grin reached the sea, the sky cleared except for them.
“Ready my handsome, mate?” Leigh asked using their mind link.
“Always for you, my love,” Grin responded.
Leigh growled, then flew straight up. Grin followed and once they reached the desired height, they flew around one another, coming close, then moving apart. Leigh knew that from below it would look like a battle, but it wasn’t, it was the mating ritual of his clan. Even though Grin was much bigger and stronger than he was, Leigh was still king and as such his part was to chase Grin, overtaking him, and plunging them into the Valarian.
Grin turned and winked at him and Leigh smiled. He knew his mate would make a great show of it for their people. Leigh flew at top speed toward Grin and wrapped his wings around Grin, trapping Grin’s wings. The two plummeted toward water. Just as they were about to make contact, they each stretched out their necks, pointing their snouts, and hit the water smoothly, as they dove in. The water encompassed them, and they swirled around as Grin took control. Control the Leigh gladly gave him, as they dropped to the sea floor.
They each shifted back to their human forms and Grin wrapped his arms around Leigh, then kissed him. His hard cock throbbing to get inside his mate. Leigh opened his legs, inviting Grin in. Grin was afraid of hurting his mate, but Leigh promised he would chant a spell he knew that would open him completely to his mate before Grin entered him. Leigh pulled back and smiled at Grin then said in their mind link, “I’m ready, mate. Claim me again.”
Grin didn’t waste a moment and pressed the tip of his cock to Leigh’s opening, then slid inside unhindered. The slide was euphoric and magnificent and Leigh loved how quickly Grin filled him. They fucked and rut together frantically as their bodies ascended back toward the surface. Leigh was overtaken with emotion and his need rose. He wasn’t going to last long with the way Grin was powering into him.
Grin thrust faster and harder and Leigh looked up to see the surface right above them. They broke through the surface and Grin gasped in a long breath, then pushed them under again as his cock continued to pound into Leigh’s body. He fucking loved it and never wanted it to end. He loved making love to his mate at any time, but this was his favorite. He and Grin had been practicing a lot, getting ready for today’s festivities, and Leigh wanted to do this again. The feel of Grin wrapped around him and inside him, as the water caressed his skin, satisfied both him and his dragon at the same time. The sensation was mind-blowing.
“Gods, Leigh, I’m gonna come,” Grin said through clenched teeth.
“Then come, my beloved. I’m ready,” Leigh replied.
Grin tightened his hold and Leigh’s orgasm raced through him, spraying out between them, and floating around them. Grin grunted, then licked across Leigh’s mating bite, then struck, sinking his teeth into Leigh’s flesh. Leigh felt his hole being filled with Grin’s release as Grin stiffened and they floated back to the top.
After a moment, Grin’s body relaxed and he released Leigh’s neck, licking across his mark. A loud uproar came from the shore and fireworks exploded through the darkening sky. It was dusk, so the sky was still blue, but it would be dark in less than an hour, then the real fireworks would begin not only here in the sky, but in their bedchamber. Leigh had never been happier in his life as he was at this moment, and he couldn’t wait for every day with his love. Leigh laughed as they swam around, still entwined and listened to the cheers coming from the shore. His gaze met Devon’s and his friend gave him a knowing smirk. Shit. Maybe he should have told Grin that this ritual performed after the marital vows, pledges, and exchanging of rings, could possibly leave him with child. Oh well, he would tell him later. Leigh thought before he took Grin’s lips in a passionate kiss and drove them back under the water.
“Shall we disappear, my love, while everyone is distracted by Leigh and Grin?” Zion whispered in Devon’s ear from behind, his arms wrapped around Devon’s waist, and his hard, throbbing cock resting between Devon’s cheeks.
“I thought you would never ask, mate. I am so hard for you and standing here naked with all these people and my cock hard and leaking, is not on the top of my list of things to do on my wedding day,” Devon said as he pushed his ass back further against Zion. The tip of Zion’s cock pressed against Devon’s warm hole.
“Mmmm, baby. I need to be inside you right now, and never let you go,” Zion growled against Devon’s neck.
“Sounds like the perfect way to start our new life together, man of my heart. Take me home to our new room so that we can spend the next month or so christening every surface.”
Zion immediately started to shimmer as his green light engulfed him. Devon threw his head back and laughed as his golden light began to glow. Once they were each shifted into their dragons, they lifted, and flew off together toward home.
“Well that was rude,” Rand said.
“What? That those two snuck away to go fuck their brains out? “Killian asked.
“No. I know they’ll be back at some time tonight. They have to be at the celebration for their people.”
“Then what was so rude?” Max asked with indifference, his gaze locked on the two men swimming in the sea.
“They could have at least let us watch like Grin and Leigh are doing,” Rand answered then broke out laughing when Killian smacked him and Max gave him a mischievous smile.
“I love you, my mate. Now and forever,” Leigh whispered against Grin’s lips.
“I will love you for eternity, my Leigh,” Grin replied, then took Leigh’s lips again as he dove under the water.
Zion and Devon landed on the balcony of their new bedchamber and shifted back. Zion grabbed Devon up into his arms and ran into the room, tossing Devon on the bed, then followed him down, laying between his legs. “You are every breath I take, and I live to see you smile and make you happy. I love you, Devon.”
Devon smiled up at Zion as tears burned the backs of his eyes. He reached up and ran his fingers through Zion’s hair. “I belong to you. I always have and I always will. You are the blood that runs through my veins and beats my heart. You are the air in my lungs that give me life. You are the spirit in my soul that makes me whole. You are life, Zion. Without you I don’t exist. I love you, my mate.” Devon leaned up and kissed Zion. He was right where he wanted to be forever, and right where he belongs for eternity. In his mate’s arms.
The story of Zion and Devon can be found in Maggie’s Dragon Realm Series.
Return of the Dragon King book 1
And Leigh and Grin’s story can be found in book 2- Rescue of the Dragon King.
Book 3 of the Dragon Realm Series will be coming Fall of 2017.